Innocent II
Who was Innocent II?
Pope of the Catholic Church (1130–1143)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Innocent II (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Pope Innocent II, born Gregorio Papareschi around 1100 in Rome, served as the head of the Catholic Church from February 14, 1130, until his death on September 24, 1143. His pontificate began amid significant controversy when his election was disputed by supporters of Cardinal Pietro Pierleoni, who took the name Anacletus II and claimed the papal throne simultaneously. This schism divided the Catholic Church and European nobility for eight years, with different regions supporting different claimants to the papacy.
The conflict arose from irregularities in the papal election process following the death of Pope Honorius II in 1130. While Innocent II was elected by a smaller group of cardinals who acted quickly, Anacletus II received support from a larger number of cardinals and controlled Rome and much of Italy. Innocent II was forced to flee Rome and seek support from European monarchs, particularly in France and Germany. His cause was championed by influential religious figures including Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, whose support proved crucial in gaining recognition from major European powers.
King Lothair III of Germany became Innocent II's primary secular supporter, providing military assistance to restore him to Rome. In return for this support, Innocent II crowned Lothair as Holy Roman Emperor in 1133 at the Lateran Basilica. This alliance proved decisive in the papal schism, as it provided Innocent with the military strength needed to challenge Anacletus II's control of Rome and the Papal States. The schism finally ended in 1138 with the death of Anacletus II, allowing Innocent II to consolidate his authority over the entire Church.
Following the resolution of the schism, Innocent II focused on Church reform and administration. In 1139, he convened the Second Lateran Council, the tenth ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. This council addressed various disciplinary and doctrinal issues, including the condemnation of Arnold of Brescia's teachings and the reinforcement of clerical celibacy. The council also dealt with the aftermath of the papal schism by invalidating the ordinations performed by Anacletus II and his supporters, though this decision created practical difficulties throughout the Church hierarchy.
Before Fame
Gregorio Papareschi was born into the Roman nobility around 1100, during a period when the papacy was increasingly involved in political conflicts with secular rulers. Little is known about his early education, but he likely received training in canon law and theology typical for clerics destined for high Church office. He rose through the ecclesiastical hierarchy during the pontificates of Paschal II, Gelasius II, and Callixtus II, gaining experience in papal administration and diplomacy.
Before becoming pope, Papareschi served as a cardinal, though the exact date of his elevation to this position is uncertain. His career coincided with the ongoing Investiture Controversy, which had created tensions between the papacy and secular rulers over the appointment of bishops and abbots. This political and religious climate shaped his understanding of papal authority and would influence his later actions as pope when facing the challenge of the Anacletan schism.
Key Achievements
- Successfully resolved the papal schism of 1130-1138 against Anacletus II
- Convened the Second Lateran Council in 1139, addressing Church discipline and doctrine
- Crowned Lothair III as Holy Roman Emperor, strengthening papal-imperial relations
- Restored papal authority over Rome and the Papal States after years of division
- Condemned the teachings of Arnold of Brescia and other reformist movements
Did You Know?
- 01.Saint Bernard of Clairvaux wrote extensively in support of Innocent II's claim to the papacy, producing treatises that helped sway European opinion during the schism
- 02.Innocent II spent several years in exile in France during the early part of his reign, unable to safely remain in Rome due to Anacletus II's control of the city
- 03.The Second Lateran Council he convened in 1139 was attended by nearly 1,000 bishops and abbots from across Europe
- 04.His papal bull condemned the teachings of Arnold of Brescia, who advocated for the Church to abandon temporal possessions
- 05.He died just four years after finally securing undisputed control of the papacy, leaving relatively little time to implement reforms after the schism