Pope Innocent II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Innocent II |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
Excerpt from a mosaic in the Roman church Santa Maria in Trastevere, built by Innocent II
|
|
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 14 February 1130 |
| Papacy ended | 24 September 1143 |
| Predecessor | Honorius II |
| Successor | Celestine II |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 22 February 1130 |
| Consecration | 23 February 1130 by Giovanni Vitale |
| Created Cardinal | 1088 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Gregorio Papareschi |
| Born | Rome, Papal States |
| Died | 24 September 1143 Rome, Papal States |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Other Popes named Innocent | |
Pope Innocent II, whose birth name was Gregorio Papareschi, was a very important leader of the Catholic Church. He was the head of the Church and ruler of the Papal States from February 14, 1130, until he died in 1143. His election as Pope was quite controversial. For the first eight years of his time as Pope, he had to work hard to be accepted as the true leader. He made an agreement with King Lothair III of Germany, who helped him against another Pope. Innocent II then crowned Lothair as the Holy Roman emperor. After this, Innocent II led an important meeting called the Second Lateran council.
Contents
Early Life and Rise to Power
Gregorio Papareschi came from a family in Rome, Italy. He was once a monk of the Cluniac order. In 1116, Pope Paschal II made him a cardinal deacon. Later, Pope Callixtus II chose Gregorio for several important jobs. He helped make peace agreements, like the Concordat of Worms in 1122. This agreement was with Holy Roman Emperor Henry V. He also helped make peace with King Louis VI of France in 1123. By 1124, he became a close helper to Pope Honorius II.
Becoming Pope: A Disputed Election
On the night of February 13, 1130, Pope Honorius II passed away. Gregorio Papareschi was quickly chosen as Pope Innocent II by a small group of six cardinals. He was made Pope on February 14, the very next day.
However, other cardinals said that Innocent's election was not fair. They chose another person, Anacletus II, to be Pope instead. Anacletus's family was an enemy of the group that supported Innocent. Anacletus's supporters were strong enough to take control of Rome. This forced Innocent II to leave the city and go north.
Innocent II's Time as Pope
Fighting for Recognition
Since Anacletus had control of Rome, Innocent II traveled to France. There, a very influential monk named Bernard of Clairvaux helped him gain support. In October 1130, King Lothair III of Germany and his bishops officially recognized Innocent II as Pope. In January 1131, he also met with Henry I of England, who supported him.
In August 1132, Lothair III went to Italy to help Innocent II. He wanted to remove Anacletus as the rival Pope and be crowned by Innocent. Anacletus and his followers controlled St. Peter's Basilica. So, the crowning of Lothair as emperor happened at the Lateran Basilica on June 4, 1133. Innocent II gave Lothair the title of emperor and control over some lands. In return, Lothair promised to pay the Pope money each year. After Lothair quickly left Rome, Innocent had to flee to Pisa.
In May 1135, Innocent held a meeting called the Council of Pisa. Over a hundred church leaders attended. At this council, Innocent II declared that antipope Anacletus II and his supporters were removed from the Church. Lothair III tried again in 1136, but the fight between the two Popes only ended when Anacletus II died on January 25, 1138.
The Second Lateran Council
In April 1139, Pope Innocent II held the Second Lateran Council. At this important meeting, King Roger II of Sicily, who was a strong opponent of Innocent II, was removed from the Church. A rule from this council also banned the use of crossbows, slings, and bows against other Christians.
The Treaty of Mignano
On July 22, 1139, at a place called Galluccio, Roger II's son, Roger III of Apulia, surprised the Pope's army. He captured Innocent II. Just three days later, on July 25, 1139, Innocent was forced to sign the Treaty of Mignano. This treaty made him recognize Roger as a king and accept his lands.
Connecting with the Holy Land
In March 1139, Pope Innocent II issued an important document called Omne Datum Optimum. This document stated that the Knights Templar, a group of religious knights, would only answer to the Pope. This meant they had special protection and freedom. That same year, he sent a special messenger to meet with the leader of the Armenian Church. This meeting helped create stronger ties between the Roman Catholic Church and the Armenian Church.
Death of Innocent II
Innocent II passed away on September 24, 1143. After his death, Pope Celestine II became the new Pope.
Innocent II's Lasting Impact
Innocent II helped some of his family members become important church leaders. He made his nephew, Gregorio Papareschi, a cardinal in 1134. He also made his brother, Pietro Papareschi, a cardinal in 1142.
One of Innocent's big achievements was completely rebuilding the old church of Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome. This church used parts from ancient Roman buildings, like columns from the Baths of Caracalla.
However, the last years of his life were also filled with challenges. He had a disagreement with King Louis VII of France over who should be a certain archbishop. He also got into a fight with the town of Tivoli. Because of this, some groups in Rome who wanted Tivoli destroyed turned against Innocent.
In 1143, as the Pope was dying, people in Rome started talking about bringing back the ancient Roman Senate. This was a way to resist the Pope's power. The Senate was officially brought back the next year. Pope Innocent II was buried in a special stone coffin that people believed once belonged to the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
See also
In Spanish: Inocencio II para niños
- Bull of Gniezno
- List of popes
- Cardinals created by Innocent II
