Anacletus II
Who was Anacletus II?
Antipope 1130 to 1138
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Anacletus II (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Anacletus II, born Pietro Pierleoni around 1091 in Rome, became one of the most significant antipopes in Catholic Church history during the tumultuous period following the death of Pope Honorius II in 1130. As a member of the influential Pierleoni family, which had considerable wealth and political connections in Rome, he was well-positioned to challenge the papal succession. The contested election that followed Honorius II's death created a major schism when two rival claimants emerged for the papal throne.
The succession crisis began when the college of cardinals split over the papal election. In an unusual arrangement, eight cardinals were entrusted with selecting the new pope, and they chose Gregorio Papareschi, who became Pope Innocent II. However, a larger group of cardinals simultaneously elected Pietro Pierleoni as Anacletus II, creating a dual claim to the papacy that would divide the Church for eight years. This schism reflected deeper political and ecclesiastical tensions within the Church and Roman society.
Anacletus enjoyed substantial support within Rome itself, backed by powerful local families including the Frangipani and drawing strength from his family's established networks. His control of the papal city forced his rival Innocent II to flee to France, where Innocent began building support among influential religious figures north of the Alps. While Anacletus maintained his position in Rome, Innocent garnered crucial endorsements from major religious leaders including Bernard of Clairvaux, Peter the Venerable of Cluny, and Norbert of Xanten, as well as political support from Emperor Lothar III.
The schism persisted throughout Anacletus's reign, with neither claimant able to achieve universal recognition. Despite controlling Rome and having the support of many Romans, Anacletus found himself increasingly isolated as Innocent's influence grew among the major monastic orders and secular rulers beyond Italy. Anacletus continued to exercise papal functions and maintained his claim until his death in Rome on January 25, 1138. His death did not immediately resolve the crisis, and it was only with the Second Lateran Council in 1139 that the schism was officially ended, though divisions in opinion persisted even after this formal resolution.
Before Fame
Pietro Pierleoni was born into one of Rome's most prominent and wealthy families around 1091. The Pierleoni family had risen to considerable influence in Roman politics and had strong connections with the Jewish banking community, which provided them with substantial financial resources. This background gave Pietro access to ecclesiastical education and positioned him well within the complex political networks of medieval Rome.
The late 11th and early 12th centuries were marked by ongoing reforms within the Catholic Church and frequent conflicts between papal and imperial authority. The investiture controversy and broader questions about clerical independence created an environment where papal successions often became contested. Pietro's ecclesiastical career developed during this period of institutional tension, preparing him for the role he would later play in one of the Church's most significant schisms.
Key Achievements
- Maintained control of Rome and the Papal States for eight years against a rival claimant
- Secured support from a majority of the College of Cardinals during his initial election
- Successfully defended his papal claims through military and political alliances with Roman noble families
- Exercised full papal authority including appointing bishops and issuing decrees throughout his reign
- Established a functioning papal administration that operated independently of his rival's court in France
Did You Know?
- 01.His family name Pierleoni derived from their ancestor Leo de Benedicto Christiano, a Jewish banker who converted to Christianity in the 11th century
- 02.He controlled the Castel Sant'Angelo fortress in Rome, giving him a significant military advantage during the papal schism
- 03.The Pierleoni family was known for their rivalry with the Frangipani family, though the Frangipani actually supported Anacletus during the schism
- 04.Bernard of Clairvaux wrote extensively against Anacletus, arguing that Innocent II was the legitimate pope based on the quality of his supporters rather than their number
- 05.Some contemporary sources suggested that antisemitic sentiment played a role in opposition to Anacletus due to his family's Jewish origins