Source: John of Monte Corvino, Report from China (1305).
John of Monte Corvino (1247–1328) was a Franciscan priest. He crossed central
Asia when the Mongol Khans controlled that region.
I made my way to Cathay…and invited him to adopt the Catholic Faith of our Lord Jesus
Christ, but he had grown too old in idolatry. However he bestows many
kindnesses upon the Christians, and these two years past I am abiding
with him....
I have built a
church in the city… in which the king has his chief residence… I have baptized
there… some 6000
persons…
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