Chapter CV: Diabolical Plan or Divine Judgment?
After I delivered the verdict, which both astonished and delighted the crowd who began chanting my name in gratitude, the Church's judgment was then pronounced by the most important man of the Church, none other than Pope Alexander VI himself. His declaration was then copied and sent throughout the Christian world.
"We, Alexander, by the grace of God, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Servant of the Servants of God, by the power vested in us, confirm the verdict given by our brother Antonio, thus reducing Cardinal Piccolomini to the laity, stripping him of all possessions and ecclesiastical ranks. We also decree that all nobles who assist him from this day forth are to refuse any request for help under the penalty of excommunication.