Giacomo Gaetani Stefaneschi facts for kids
Giacomo Gaetani Stefaneschi (born around 1270 – died 23 June 1343) was an important Italian cardinal deacon in the Catholic Church. A cardinal deacon is a high-ranking church official who helps the Pope.
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Life of Giacomo Stefaneschi
Giacomo was born in Rome. His father, Pietro Stefaneschi, was a senator, which meant he was a powerful leader in the city. His mother was Perna Orsini.
Giacomo started his education in Rome. Later, he went to the University of Paris for advanced studies. After three years, he earned a degree called Master of Arts. He planned to study philosophy and religious texts. He even started teaching at the university.
However, his parents called him back to Italy. They wanted him to study canon law and civil law. Canon law is about church rules, and civil law is about government rules.
Pope Celestine V gave Stefaneschi important jobs. He became a church official at St. Peter's Basilica. He also became an "auditor of the Rota," which meant he helped hear important church legal cases.
On 17 December 1295, Pope Boniface VIII made him a cardinal. He was given a special church in Rome called San Giorgio in Velabro. Pope Boniface VIII also sent him as a papal legate to several cities. A papal legate is like a special ambassador for the Pope. Giacomo's job was to help stop civil unrest in these areas.
Later, Pope John XXII made him a special helper for the Minorites. This was a group of Franciscan monks. Giacomo Stefaneschi died in Avignon, France, on 23 June 1343.
Works by Giacomo Stefaneschi
Opus Metricum: A Biography
Giacomo Stefaneschi is most famous for writing a book called Opus Metricum. This was the first biography, or life story, of Celestine V. Celestine V was the Pope who gave Giacomo his first important jobs.
The book is written in a special poetic style called dactylic hexameter. It has three main parts. The first part tells about Celestine V becoming Pope, his time as Pope, and when he stepped down. Giacomo wrote this part before he became a cardinal.
The second part was written five years later. It describes how Boniface VIII was chosen as the next Pope and his coronation. The last part has three volumes. It talks about Celestine V's life after he stopped being Pope. It also tells about his canonization, which is when he was declared a saint. This part also includes stories of miracles.
In 1319, Stefaneschi put all three parts together. He sent them to the monks at San Spirito in Sulmona, Italy. This monastery was the main house for the Celestines, a group of monks started by Celestine V.
Historians today see Opus Metricum as a very important historical source. It helps us understand the lives of these Popes and the events of that time.
Other Writings
Giacomo Stefaneschi wrote other books too:
- Liber de Centesimo sive Jubileo: This book tells about the first Roman Jubilee. A Jubilee was a special holy year held in Rome in 1300.
- Liber ceremoniarum Curiæ Romanæ: This book was a guide to the ceremonies and rules of the Pope's court in Rome.
- Vita S. Georgii Martyris: This is a hagiography, which is a story about the life of a saint. This book tells the story of Saint George. Saint George was the patron saint of Giacomo's own church in Rome.
- "Historia de miraculo Mariæ facto Avinione": This is a short story about a young man in Avignon. The story says he was saved from death by a miracle from the Virgin Mary.
