Pope Gelasius II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Gelasius II |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 24 January 1118 |
| Papacy ended | 29 January 1119 |
| Predecessor | Paschal II |
| Successor | Callixtus II |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 9 March 1118 |
| Consecration | 10 March 1118 |
| Created Cardinal | September 1088 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Giovanni Caetani |
| Born | 1060–64 Gaeta, Duchy of Gaeta |
| Died | 29 January 1119 Cluny, Duchy of Burgundy, Kingdom of France |
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| Other Popes named Gelasius | |
Pope Gelasius II (born Giovanni Caetani, around 1060–1064) was an important leader of the Catholic Church. He served as Pope from January 24, 1118, until his death in January 1119. Before becoming pope, he was a monk at Monte Cassino and worked as a chancellor for Pope Paschal II.
When Gelasius II was chosen as pope, he also took on a big challenge. This was a disagreement called the Investiture Conflict with Emperor Henry V. This conflict was about who had the power to appoint important church officials. Because of this, Pope Gelasius II spent much of his short time as pope living away from Rome.
Contents
The Life of Pope Gelasius II
Early Years and Church Work
Giovanni Caetani was born in Gaeta between 1060 and 1064. His family was part of the Caetani family from Pisa. He decided to become a monk at the famous Monte Cassino monastery.
Pope Urban II noticed Giovanni's talents. He wanted to make papal documents better. So, he brought Giovanni to Rome in 1088. Giovanni became a papal subdeacon and then a cardinal deacon.
From 1089 to 1118, Giovanni served as the chancellor of the Holy Roman Church. This was a very important job. He made big changes to how the pope's office worked. He created a permanent team of clerks to write official documents. Before him, the pope often relied on local notaries. He also introduced a new, smaller writing style called minuscule curial script. Thanks to him, it became a rule that the papal chancellor would always be a cardinal. This person would hold the job for life or until they became pope.
Becoming Pope and Facing Challenges
In 1118, Giovanni Caetani was chosen unanimously to become the next pope. He took the name Gelasius II. Soon after his election, he faced trouble. A powerful person named Cencio II Frangipane, who supported Emperor Henry V, captured him. But the people of Rome rose up and freed Gelasius II.
Emperor Henry V wanted to keep a special power called "investiture." This meant he wanted to choose church leaders himself. Pope Paschal II had once agreed to this under pressure, but then changed his mind. Emperor Henry V forced Gelasius II out of Rome in March 1118. He said Gelasius's election was not valid. Then, he set up his own pope, Maurice Bourdin, who was called Gregory VIII.
Gelasius II fled to Gaeta. There, he was officially made a priest on March 9, 1118. The next day, he became a bishop. He immediately announced that Emperor Henry V and the antipope were excommunicated from the Church. With help from the Normans, he was able to return to Rome in July.
However, the emperor's supporters, especially the Frangipani family, caused more problems. They even attacked the Pope while he was celebrating Mass. This forced Gelasius II to leave Rome again. He traveled to France. On his way, he dedicated the cathedral in Pisa. He arrived in Marseille in October. People welcomed him with great excitement in cities like Avignon and Montpellier. In January 1119, he held a meeting of church leaders in Vienne. He was planning a larger meeting to finally solve the investiture conflict. Sadly, he died at the Abbey of Cluny before he could do so.
See also
In Spanish: Gelasio II para niños
