CHARLEMAGNE APPROACHED ROME for the first time on April 2, 774. Not only was it Easter Saturday, just six days after Palm Sunday, but it may also have been Charlemagne's twenty-sixth birthday. Fresh from victories in the war against the Lombards, Charlemagne rode towards Rome at the head of an entourage of bishops, abbots, officials (iudices), dukes, and counts. Although the bulk of his army remained outside the besieged Lombard city of Pavia, Charlemagne and his court travelled “with very many armed forces.” Learning of Charlemagne's approach, Pope Adrian I sent “all his officials” to welcome the king some thirty miles north of Rome. Within a mile or so of the city, Charlemagne was met by “the entire ceremonial military guard” (universas scolas militae), by young boys carrying palm and olive branches and singing acclamations (laudes), and by the “venerable crosses, that is to say standards (signa).” It is not clear whether the “standards” were military banners bearing the sign of the cross or liturgical crosses ordinarily used in Roman outdoor processions. In either case, they enhanced the message of triumph. The cross had been understood as a promise of military victory since Constantine's decisive victory just north of Rome at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE. Constantine was said to have seen in the sky a bright cross and the Greek words “En toutō níka” (In this sign you will conquer).

Seeing the processional crosses, Charlemagne dismounted from his horse and continued on foot to the Basilica of Saint Peter, where he was greeted by the pope, clergy, and people of Rome. In a show of humility, Charlemagne kissed each step leading up to the church doors where the pope awaited him. As Charlemagne and Adrian entered the basilica, clergy and monks sang the Palm Sunday antiphon “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” recalling the cry of the crowd as Jesus entered Jerusalem. Inside, all prostrated themselves in prayer, giving glory to God who had granted so great a victory. Afterwards, pope and king together crossed the bridge over the River Tiber to enter the city itself.