The Journey to Pope Nicholas

In 1280 Rav Avraham traveled to Rome, announcing that he intended to persuade Pope Nicholas III to convert to Judaism. The pope was staying at Suriano. When he heard of the plan, he ordered that this fanatical Jew be burned as soon as he arrived, and a stake was set up for the purpose.

Rav Avraham did not turn back. He went on to Suriano, and only there did he learn that the pope had died of a stroke the night before. He returned to Rome, where he was thrown into prison, and was released four weeks later.