The credence given to the reports was such that Pope Alexander III sent a letter to Prester John via his physician Philip on September 27, 1177.
Penerimaan atas laporan-laporan tersebut sedemikian rupa sehingga Paus Aleksander III mengirimkan sebuah surat kepada Prester Yohanes melalui Filipus dokternya pada 27 September 1177.