The Fourth General: Brother Albert of Pisa

48 His election 49 His governance

(48) The Fourth General of the Order was the Venerable Father Albert of Pisa from the Province of Tuscany. He was Minster of England and was elected in the Chapter gathered in Rome in the year of the Lord 1238 in the presence of the Supreme Pontiff Gregory IX who was personally present for all the Chapter and wanted to be the Chapter president. When this Venerable Father was elected, with his own hands His Holiness happily gave him the seals, blessed him and confirmed him in the office in the thirteenth year of his Pontificate.

(49) Not much was written about this General because he only lived a short while. He was a man of great holiness and was very learned. He visited the Order and gave great example by his life and pleased the friars very much. However it please the Lord God that when he received the letters of Brother Elias as we mentioned above, out of zeal to save that soul, he set out immediately on the journey to Rome. However it pleased the Lord God that he fell gravely ill when he arrived in Pisa. After a short time there he passed away to the Lord.