Clement VI., resenting his encroachments on Papal territory, summoned him to Avignon.

Giovanni Visconti replied that he would march thither at the head of 12,000 cavalry and 6,000 infantry.

In the Duomo of Milan he ascended his throne with the crosier in his left hand and a drawn sword in his right; and thus he is always represented in pictures.

The story of Giovanni's answer to the Papal Legate is well told by Corio:[5] 'After Mass in the Cathedral the great-hearted Archbishop unsheathed a flashing sword, which he had girded on his thigh, and with his left hand seized the cross, saying, "This is my spiritual scepter, and I will wield the sword as my temporal, in defense of all my empire."' Afterwards he sent couriers to engage lodgings for his soldiers and his train for six months.

Visitors to Avignon found no room in the city, and the Pope was fain to decline so terrible a guest.