Pope Innocent VI facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Innocent VI |
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| Bishop of Rome | |
Fresco at Santa Maria Novella
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 18 December 1352 |
| Papacy ended | 12 September 1362 |
| Predecessor | Clement VI |
| Successor | Urban V |
| Orders | |
| Created Cardinal | 20 September 1342 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Étienne Aubert |
| Born | 1282 Les Monts, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 12 September 1362 (aged 79–80) Avignon, Papal States |
| Other Popes named Innocent | |
Pope Innocent VI (born Étienne Aubert) was an important leader of the Catholic Church. He served as Pope from December 18, 1352, until his death in September 1362. He was the fifth pope to live in Avignon, France, during a time known as the Avignon Papacy.
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Early Life of Étienne Aubert
Étienne Aubert was born in a small village called Les Monts in France. His father was Adhemar Aubert. Étienne first studied and taught civil law (laws about people's rights and property) at the University of Toulouse.
He then became a Bishop in the Church. He was the Bishop of Noyon in 1338 and later the Bishop of Clermont in 1340. In 1342, he was made a Cardinal, which is a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church.
In 1352, Cardinal Étienne Aubert became the Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia and Velletri. He took over from Pope Clement VI and was elected as the new Pope.
Pope Innocent VI's Time as Pope
Étienne Aubert was crowned Pope on December 30, 1352. He chose the name Innocent VI. One of his first actions was to cancel an agreement that said the group of cardinals had more power than the Pope. He believed the Pope should have the final say.
Changes and Reforms in the Church
Pope Innocent VI made many important changes to how the Church was run. He wanted to improve its administration. He sent a special representative, Cardinal Albornoz, to Rome. Their goal was to bring back order to the city.
In 1355, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, was crowned in Rome. Pope Innocent VI allowed this, but Charles IV had to promise to leave the city right after the ceremony.
Working for Peace
Pope Innocent VI worked hard to bring peace between France and England. His efforts helped lead to the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360. This treaty was a major step in ending part of the Hundred Years' War.
The Byzantine emperor John V Palaeologus also offered to unite the Greek Orthodox Church with the Roman Catholic Church. He asked for help against an enemy. However, the Pope had many problems closer to home and could not offer the help needed.
Managing Church Finances
The popes before Innocent VI, like John XXII and Benedict XII, had saved a lot of money. But much of this wealth was spent during the time of Pope Clement VI.
Pope Innocent VI was very careful with money. He reduced the number of staff in the papal chapel. He even sold some works of art instead of buying new ones. His time as Pope was expensive because of a war in Italy and the recovery from the Black Death plague in Avignon. By 1357, he was facing financial difficulties.
Patron of Learning
Pope Innocent VI was a big supporter of learning and books. He encouraged scholars and writers. He was known for being fair and merciful.
Pope Innocent VI passed away on September 12, 1362. He was followed by Urban V. His tomb can be found today in a monastery in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, France.
See also
In Spanish: Inocencio VI para niños
