All the princes and a majority of the bishops conceived that the denial of the Apostolic benediction would destroy the hopes of the Church party.

They beheld in themselves the champions of the Church, and identified their own welfare with that of the Holy See; they believed that Gregory was only restrained by circumstances from granting the prayers of those who had sworn never to desert him; they maintained that although the Pope might not have permitted the election, he could not refuse to sanction their choice after it had been made.

Moved by these passionate representations, and, perhaps, expecting to please the Sovereign Pontiff, the legates yielded, and confirmed the election of Rodolph.
When Rodolph heard that he had been called to the throne he shut himself up in his room and sent for Father Omehr.

Scarce a minute elapsed before the missionary stood at his side.

They gazed at each other in silence for some moments.