Innocent II

Innocent II ( Gregorio Papareschi ), born with Rome (Italy), is a pope February 14th 1130 with the September 24th 1143.

Beginnings

Member of the clan Guidoni, Gregorio is initially regular canon of Midsummer's Day of Lateran. Named cardinal-deacon of Saint-Angel by Pascal II, it follows its successor Gélase II in its exile to France. Under the pontificate of Calixte II, it accompanies the legate Lambert, cardinal-bishop of Ostie, in his mission in Germany. With this last, it takes share with the development of the Concordat of Worms, which in 1122 fine met with long the Querelle of the Nominations. To its return, it sticks to the clan of Frangipani, one of the Roman big families, against Pierleoni, more popular.

Pontificate

The election

With the beginning of the year 1130, whereas the pope Honorius II is with the article of death, the Aymeric cardinal, in favor of Frangipani, persuades this last to establish a commission of eight cardinals to elect his successor. There would remain then with Crowned College to approve this choice. In practice, the commission is made up of a minority of pro-Pierleoni, however majority in Crowned the College.

When Honorius II dies in the night from February 13rd to 14th, Aymeric on the spot brings together the six other Members of the Commission present, of which only one partisan of Pierleoni. Gregorio, near to Frangipani, is thus elected by six votes against one; it takes the name of Innocent II. The vote is confirmed by ten other cardinals of the same faction, for the French majority. A few hours later, the cardinals of the Pierleone faction, majority, elect Pierre Pierleone, who takes the name of Anaclet II.

The schism

It is the Schisme. Anaclet II is supported by the Normands of the king Roger II of Sicily and by a majority of the Romans. Thus, Innocent II can be crowned only with Holy-Marie-News, and not with the Basilique Saint-Pierre. He is also prisoner a time of the Norman ones. Constrained to leave Rome, it takes refuge initially in Toscane, then in Ligurie, and finally in Provence.

If the emperor Lothaire II hardly shows himself in a hurry to slice, Louis VI of France is more active, undoubtedly on the council of Suger. He convenes with Étampes the Archevêque S of Sens, Rheims and Bourges as well as bishop S and Abbé S, among which Bernard de Clairvaux. This one takes party for Innocent II as soon as Frangipani contact it, and refuses to take note of the unfavourable file. Accommodated in France by Suger, Innocent II convenes a synod with Clermont-Ferrand: Anaclet is excommunicated in October 1130.

Following Louis VI, Henri I {{er}} of England takes party in favor of Innocent. On the councils of Norbert de Xanten, founder of the Prémontrés, Lothaire II finally of the same fact. In 1133, it intervenes militarily in Italy. However, crowned at once by Innocent, it turns back with its army. Again driven out of Rome, Innocent II settles in Pisa where it holds in 1135 a council reiterating the judgment of Anaclet and its partisans. In 1136-1137, Lothaire conducts one second military campaign, which inflicts a temporary defeat with Roger of Sicily, the surest military support of Anaclet. It is the death of this last in January 1138 which puts an end to the schism: its successor, Victor IV, subjects himself quickly to Innocent.

Innocent II convenes in April the II {{E}} council of Lateran to strengthen its position: it takes again the work of the I {{er}} council of Lateran, in 1123, and confirms the decrees of the synods of Clermont, Rheims and Pisa. With the council closure, he undertakes to reduce Roger of Sicily, his last adversary. Captive fact, it must finally treat with the Norman one: by the Treated of Mignano, in July 1139, he recognizes his royal title like his territories.

With its death, Innocent II is buried in the basilica of Lateran, before being transferred in 1308 to Notre-Dame from Trastévère.

See too

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