In 1673, there arrived at Rome ambassadors from the Tsar of Russia, Alexei. He solicited from the Pope the title of Tsar, which, however, had already been adopted by his predecessors. At the same time it could not be forgotten that he gave strong financial aid to King John III Sobieski of Poland in their fight against the Turkish invaders. But Paul Menesius, a Scotsman, who was the ambassador, could not obtain the grant or sanction of that title, though he was received with great magnificence and had many precious gifts to carry back to his master. The Russian Tsar did not profess the Catholic faith in such a manner as to give any assurance of his intentions, and the King of Poland had looked upon the embassy with displeasure.
In 1673, ther?e arrived at Rome ambassadors from the Tsar of Russia, Alexei. He solicited from the Pope the title of Tsar, which, however, had already been adopted by his predecessors. At the same time it could not be forgotten that he gave strong financial aid to King John III Sobieski of Poland in their fight against the Turkish invaders. But Paul Menesius, a Scotsman, who was the ambassador, could not obtain the grant or sanction of that title, though he was received wi,th great magnificence and had many precious gifts to carry back to his master. The Russian Tsar did not profess the Catholic faith in such a :manner as to give any assurance of his intentions, and the King of Poland had looked upon the embassy with displeasure.