Celestine II

AKA:
Papacy:
Status:
Previous:
Next:

Name:
Born:
Died:
Cause of Death:

1143.09.25 to 1144.03.08
Pope #165
Innocent II (1130-1143)
Lucius II (1144-1145)

Guido de Castellis
Rome in Citta de Castello, Italy
1144.03.08

Pope Celestine II

Biography:

A Roman from a noble Tuscan family.

Education

Pierre Abélard

He studied in Paris under his mentor, Peter Abélard of Breton, a famous French philosopher who, in 1121 was charged by a synod for teaching the modalism heresy.

Celestine II returned to Rome where he was made a deacon in 1128. He gained favour with Pope Innocent II (1130-1143), who promoted him to cardinal priest of St. Mark.

Chooses not to intervene

In 1141, his former teacher was being charged again with heresy. The head of this synod was the powerful St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who was also a long-time enemy of Abélard's. When Abélard discovered this, he appealed to Rome, and pleaded for assistance from his former pupil. St. Bernard warned Celestine II against siding with Abélard. Celestine adhered against his wishes, and Abélard was thus found guilty in Rome.

Election

In 1143, Celestine II was unanimously elected Pope. He would reign for only 5 months and 13 days.

Interdict removed from King Louis VII

In 1144, the papal relationship with King Louis VII was restored, and Celestine II removed the interdict placed on him by Pope Innocent II three years earlier. The interdict was due to a power struggle between the King and the local clergy, over who could decide candidates for the local Archdiocese.

King Roger II of Sicily

King Roger II

Celestine II, like his pre-decessor Innocent II, refused to recognise the Norman King, Roger II as ruler of Sicily. Previously, Pope Honorius II (1124-1130) had raised an army and attacked Roger II; however, Honorius was defeated and forced to give an oath of allegiance. After Honorius II's death, a schism of 3 popes resulted. Antipope Anacletus II (1130-1138) supported Roger II, and crowned him as King of Sicily, while Innocent II had excommunicated him. Innocent II was eventually forced to accept him. Celestine II died early, and his successor would succumb Roger II.

Indulgences

In 1144 Celestine II issued the Milites Templi Bull, which further granted the Knight's Templar Orders permission to sell indulgences to raise cash for itself.

St. Malachy's Prophecy

According to legend, St. Malachy of Ireland, travelled to Rome around 1139 where he is said have had a vision foretelling a lineage of popes starting at Pope Celestine II until "the end of the world". If Antipopes are included, Pope Benedict XVI (2005-) would be last pope before the Grand Anti-Christ Pope.

The documents didn't first appear until the 16th century, and most of the descriptions of popes from that point onward, appear much more vague. Most historians today believe the documents are forgaries, presumed to be from an early Jesuit order.

Rulers & Events:

1118-1143: Eastern Roman Emperor, John II

1130-1154: King of Sicily, Roger II

1137-1180: King of France, Louis VII (the Younger)

1138-1152: King of Germany, Conrad III

1143-1180: Eastern Roman Emperor, Manuel I