The
Papacy - A Historical Perspective
1261-1276 A.D.
Urban IV : 1261-1264 A.D.
182. Born in Troyes (France), he was surprisingly elected September
4, 1261 during the Conclave of Viterbo, in which he participated to pay
his respects to the future Pope - died October 2, 1264.
He confirmed the feast of the
Corpus Domini to be
celebrated 60 days after Easter and the
hymns for the celebration of the feast were written by Thomas Aquinas,
while the procession was established by John XXII (1316-1334).
He began to write ordinal numbers on documents followed by his
name "Pope Urban IV".
He prohibited the burial in the Vatican Basilica of all those who
had not received a pontifical authorisation.
He was buried in the Cathedral of Deruta (Perugia). His
pontificate lasted about 3 years.
Clement IV : 1265-1268 A.D.
183. Born in Saint Giles (France). Elected February 15, 1265 - died
November 28, 1268.
He excommunicated Conrad of Swabia but
this did not avoid
the occupation of Rome and Naples.
Before becoming a priest and a bishop he was a man of the world.
He lived and died in Viterbo.
People say that a particular Breve was the first one to be sealed
with the piscatory ring (papal ring, with reference to St. Peter).
Clement IV belongs to the group of Popes who never came to
Rome, since he spent his entire life in Viterbo.
His pontificate lasted 3 years and 10 months.
Bl. Gregory X : 1254-1261 A.D.
184. Born in Piacenza. Elected March 27, 1272 - died January 10,
1276.
After almost three years of vacancy
because of disagreements within
the Conclave of Viterbo, some men of the people took the roof off
and put the cardinals on bread and water, forcing them to make a
decision.
He called the 14th Ecumenical Council. With the Bull "Ubi Periculum"
(7.7.1274) he explained that after three days of conclave the lunch was
reduced to two meals per day, one in the morning and the other one at
night; after five days only bread, water and some wine were allowed.
The provisions contained in the "Ubi Periculum" were then eased and
finally eliminated, but the enclosure remained and is still used today.
He was buried in the Cathedral of Arezzo. His pontificate lasted
about 3 years
and 10 months.
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Index of Roman
Pontiffs
Introduction
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