Gregory to Libertinus, ex-prefect. Your Glory's devotion, both experienced and known to us, prompts us to make you, by an epistolary address, a helper in ecclesiastical causes. And therefore, since we have committed—God being the author—to Romanus the defender, the bearer of these presents, the care of the patrimony of our Church, which is situated in the territory of Syracuse and Catania, greeting Your Glory, we ask that you ought to concur with him and bring him solace in all things.
And lest perchance, out of unfamiliarity, he grasp too little of those things which are useful, inform him subtly with your counsels, and lend him your effort in doing these things, as you are accustomed, so that while, with your help, he usefully carries out what has been enjoined on him, both you may be able to receive reward for your good deed, and we may be more earnestly invited to entreat the mercy of Almighty God for the life of Your Glory. But concerning the chapter of which the bearer of these presents spoke to me, or of which our most reverend brother John the bishop wrote, meanwhile nothing could be either attempted or done, because the person before whom it could be transacted is not yet confirmed in any authority.