The Cardinal, by virtue of powers received and brought with him from his holiness, absolved the King from all obligation to keep his faith with Spain.

He also gave him a dispensation from the duty of prefacing hostilities by a declaration of war.

Strozzi was sent at once into Italy, with some hastily collected troops, while the Duke of Guise waited to organize a regular army.
The mischief being thus fairly afoot, and war let loose again upon Europe, the Cardinal made a public entry into Paris, as legate of the Pope.

The populace crowded about his mule, as he rode at the head of a stately procession through the streets.

All were anxious to receive a benediction from the holy man who had come so far to represent the successor of St.Peter, and to enlist the efforts of all true believers in his cause.