Pope Innocent VII facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Innocent VII |
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| Bishop of Rome | |
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Miniature of Innocent VII in the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493)
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 17 October 1404 |
| Papacy ended | 6 November 1406 |
| Predecessor | Boniface IX |
| Successor | Gregory XII |
| Opposed to | Avignon claimant: Benedict XIII |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 5 December 1387 |
| Created Cardinal | 18 December 1389 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Cosimo de' Migliorati |
| Born | 1339 Sulmona, Kingdom of Naples |
| Died | 6 November 1406 (aged 66–67) Rome, Papal States |
| Previous post |
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| Other Popes named Innocent | |
Pope Innocent VII (born Cosimo de' Migliorati) was the leader of the Catholic Church from 1404 until his death in 1406. He was pope during a difficult time known as the Western Schism. This was a period when there were two (or even three) popes at the same time.
Innocent VII was opposed by another pope, Antipope Benedict XIII, who was based in Avignon, France. Even though Innocent VII wanted to end this split in the Church, he faced many problems in Rome. He also didn't fully trust Benedict XIII or King Ladislaus of Naples. Because of these challenges, he couldn't do much to heal the schism during his time as pope.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Cosimo de' Migliorati was born in 1339 in Sulmona, a town in Italy. His family was not wealthy or famous. He was very good at studying and became an expert in both civil law (laws of the land) and Canon Law (Church laws).
He taught these laws at universities in Perugia and Padua. A teacher named Giovanni da Legnano helped him get a job in Rome with Pope Urban VI.
Early Church Roles
Pope Urban VI sent Cosimo to England for ten years to collect money for the Pope. Later, he became the Bishop of Bologna in 1386. This was a challenging time for that city. In 1387, he became the Archbishop of Ravenna.
In 1389, Pope Boniface IX made him a cardinal. A cardinal is a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church. As a cardinal, he was sent to important areas in Italy like Lombardy and Tuscany.
When Pope Boniface IX died, there were discussions about ending the Western Schism. Cardinals in Rome asked if the rival pope, Benedict XIII, would step down. When they learned he would not, the cardinals decided to elect a new pope. Before the election, each cardinal promised to do everything possible, even give up the papal tiara (the pope's crown), to end the schism.
Becoming Pope
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Cosimo de' Migliorati was chosen as pope by all eight cardinals on October 17, 1404. He took the name Innocent VII. When people in Rome heard about his election, there was a big protest from a group called the Ghibelline party.
King Ladislaus of Naples quickly came to Rome with soldiers to help the new Pope. He helped calm the protests. In return, King Ladislaus asked for some favors from Innocent VII. One promise was that the Pope would support Ladislaus's claim to rule Naples. This suited Innocent VII because he didn't want to make a deal with the Avignon pope that would weaken his own power over the Papal States (lands ruled by the Pope).
Challenges in Rome
Pope Innocent VII made a big mistake by giving his nephew, Ludovico Migliorati, an important job. Ludovico was a military leader, and the Pope made him the head of the Papal Militia (the Pope's army). This act of favoring a family member, called nepotism, caused many problems.
In August 1405, Ludovico did something terrible. He captured eleven important Roman leaders who had just met with the Pope. This caused a huge uproar. The Pope, his court, and the cardinals had to flee Rome towards Viterbo. Angry Romans chased them, and many people were lost during the escape.
King Ladislaus, who had helped the Pope before, sent troops to stop the riots in Rome. By January 1406, the people of Rome accepted the Pope's authority again, and Innocent VII could return. However, King Ladislaus wanted more power in Rome and the Papal States. He even helped a group in Rome that was trying to cause trouble.
Ladislaus's soldiers were still occupying the Castle of Sant' Angelo, which was supposed to protect the Vatican. They were making attacks on Rome. Finally, after King Ladislaus was excommunicated (kicked out of the Church), he agreed to remove his troops.
Efforts to End the Schism
Soon after becoming pope, Innocent VII tried to keep his promise to end the Western Schism. He announced that he would hold a council (a big meeting) to solve the problem. Important people like King Charles VI of France and scholars from the University of Paris wanted this meeting to happen.
However, the troubles in Rome in 1405 gave him a reason to delay the meeting. He said he couldn't guarantee safety for the rival pope, Benedict XIII, if he came to Rome. Benedict XIII, however, made it seem like Innocent VII was the only one stopping the schism from ending. Innocent VII did not want to resign (step down) from his position, even if Benedict XIII did, because he believed he was the true pope.
Death
Pope Innocent VII died in Rome on November 6, 1406. It is said that he had plans to rebuild the Roman University, but his death stopped these plans.
See also
In Spanish: Inocencio VII para niños
