Clement III

Pope Clement III

Pope Clement III, born Paolo Scolari in 1130, served as the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from December 19, 1187, until his death on March 20, 1191. His pontificate is marked by significant diplomatic achievements, most notably the resolution of a long-standing conflict between the Papacy and the city of Rome. This agreement allowed the citizens of Rome to elect their magistrates, which facilitated the Papacy's return to the city after a six-year period of exile.

Life and Historical Context

Paolo Scolari hailed from a family of high social standing in Rome. Before his election as Pope, he held several important positions within the Church, including archpriest of the patriarchal Liberian Basilica and cardinal bishop of Palestrina, appointed by Pope Alexander III. His election as Pope occurred on December 19, 1187, two days after the death of Gregory VIII. He was the cardinals' second choice, as their initial preference, Cardinal Theobald of Ostia, declined the papacy. Clement III's health was a concern during his papacy, and he was elected despite having been previously rejected as a candidate due to poor health.

Major Contributions and Actions

Clement III's papacy saw the successful conclusion of the protracted conflict with the city of Rome. Through a treaty signed in March 1188, the Roman Church agreed to reimburse citizens for certain losses, and the agreement allowed for the election of magistrates while the Pope retained the nomination of the city's governor. This settlement effectively returned the papacy to Rome. He also undertook a significant expansion of the College of Cardinals, creating thirty-one new cardinals over three years to address a depleted membership, a number not seen since the time of Adrian IV.

Beyond Roman affairs, Clement III engaged in broader diplomatic efforts. He sent emissaries to persuade the Kings of England and France to undertake the Third Crusade. He also increased restrictions on trade with the Islamic world, expanding a previous prohibition to include more items and calling for a full trade embargo. In matters concerning the Church in Scotland, he removed it from the legatine jurisdiction of the Archbishop of York, making it independent except in relation to Rome. He also wrote to the Archbishop of Toledo, lamenting political divisions in Spain and advocating for unity against Muslim forces, comparing the Reconquista to the Crusades.

Legacy

Pope Clement III's pontificate is primarily remembered for resolving the critical issue of the Papacy's presence in Rome and for his efforts to strengthen the College of Cardinals. His diplomatic success in ending the conflict with the city of Rome was a pivotal achievement that restored stability to the papal administration and its relationship with its own capital.