The
Papacy - A Historical Perspective
1118-1143 A.D.
Gelasius II : 1118 -1119 A.D.
161. Born in Gaeta. Elected March 10, 1118 - died January 28,1119.
He was assailed in the Church of
the Lateran and was
imprisoned by the
rebel Cencio Frangipane.
After having been freed by Genoese mariners
he looked for shelter in Gaeta, from where he came back to Rome
dressed as a pilgrim.
He moved to Cluny as a consequence of a turmoil
of Roman nobles and never came back to Rome.
People say that at the
point of death, he took the pontifical insignia off, put the frock on
and
wanted to die on the ground.
He was buried in the monastery of Cluny.
His pontificate lasted a little longer than 9 months.
Callistus II : 1119-1124 A.D.
162. Born in Burgundy. Elected February 8 1119 - died December 13,
1124.
He signed the agreement published in
Worms concerning the
right
of the popes to appoint cardinals. He called the 9th Ecumenical Council
and proclaimed the 2nd
Crusade.
He was elected in Cluny and accepted the confirmation from the
cardinals who remained in Rome, where messengers were sent; therefore,
also the election of this Pope was held in
Rome.
We owe to Callistus II the end of the struggles for investitures,
started by Gregory VII and Henry IV.
He died suddenly in the Lateran Palace and was buried in the
Basilica.
His pontificate lasted 5 years and 10 months.
Honorius II : 1124-1130 A.D.
163. Born in Fiagnano. Elected December 21, 1124 - died February 13,
1130.
He resumed relations with almost all
European countries
fighting
against the Saracens. During his pontificate, the famous factions of
the
Guelphs (in favour of the Pope) and the Ghibellines (in favour of the
Emperor) were created.
Since it was not possible to elect the successor
of the Pope if the latter was not buried, the body of Honorius, still
warm,
was put into a temporary grave in the Convent of San Gregorio al Celio.
He was then transferred to the Lateran.
His pontificate lasted 5 years and 2 months.
Innocent II : 1130-1143 A.D.
164. Born in Rome. Elected February 23, 1130 - died September 24,
1143.
Soon after his election he was forced
to escape. Lothar from Saxony brought him back to Rome, kissed his foot
and
lead his she-mule in
the procession in exchange for the crowning.
He called the 10th Ecumenical Council, the II Lateran, and
dissolved the" Agapete" (community of women working for churchmen,
currently called priest's house-keepers).
He was at first buried in the La teran, but seven years later his
body was transferred to S. Maria in Trastevere.
His pontificate lasted about 13 years and 7 months.
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Index of Roman
Pontiffs
Introduction
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