One was that the King of Hungary, in whose dominions was Zara, was a Christian and a Crusader himself; another that the Pope (Innocent III) forbade the project.

Old blind Dandolo, however, was adamant.

Not only must the Crusaders help the Venetians whom they had so much embarrassed by their broken bond, but he would go too.

Calling the people together in S.Mark's, this ancient sightless bravo asked if it was not right that he should depart on this high mission, and they answered yes.

Descending from the pulpit, he knelt at the altar and on his bonnet the Cross was fastened.
Before the expedition left, a messenger came from Alexius, nephew of the usurping King of Constantinople and son of the rightful king, praying the Venetians to sail first for Constantinople and support his father's case, and to deal faithfully with Zara later; but Dandolo said that the rebellious Zara had prior claims, and in spite of Papal threats and even excommunication, he sailed for that place on November 10, 1202.