Innocent II

Pope Innocent II

Pope Innocent II (born Gregorio Papareschi) served as head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from February 14, 1130, until his death on September 24, 1143. His pontificate was profoundly shaped by a contentious election that resulted in a schism, with a rival pope, Anacletus II, claiming legitimacy. The initial eight years of Innocent II's reign were dominated by a struggle to gain recognition against Anacletus and his supporters, who controlled Rome.

Early Life and Election

Gregorio Papareschi hailed from a Roman family and was formerly a Cluniac monk. He was appointed cardinal deacon of Sant'Angelo in 1116 by Pope Paschal II and later served on important diplomatic missions, including those that led to the Concordat of Worms in 1122 and peace with King Louis VI of France in 1123. He became a close advisor to Pope Honorius II. Following Honorius II's death on February 13, 1130, Gregorio was hastily elected as Innocent II by a commission of six cardinals led by papal chancellor Haimeric. However, other cardinals contested his election, proclaiming Anacletus II as pope. This led to Anacletus gaining control of Rome, forcing Innocent II to flee north.

Papacy and Key Events

Innocent II sought support abroad, traveling to France where Bernard of Clairvaux helped secure his recognition by the clergy and court. He also gained the acknowledgment of King Lothair III of Germany at the synod of Würzburg in October 1130 and met with Henry I of England in January 1131. Lothair III undertook an expedition to Italy in August 1132 to support Innocent and be crowned emperor. While Lothair was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Innocent in the Lateran Basilica on June 4, 1133, the expedition ultimately proved inconclusive, and Innocent was forced to flee Rome again. In May 1135, Innocent convened the council of Pisa, which excommunicated Anacletus II and his followers. The protracted struggle between the rival pontiffs ended only with the death of Anacletus II on January 25, 1138.

Innocent II presided over the Second Lateran Council in April 1139, where King Roger II of Sicily, a steadfast opponent, was excommunicated. Canons from this council included the prohibition of using crossbows, slings, and bows against Christians. Later that year, on July 22, 1139, Roger II's son, Roger III of Apulia, ambushed papal troops and captured Innocent II. Three days later, Innocent was compelled to sign the Treaty of Mignano, acknowledging the kingship and possessions of Roger II.

Involvement with Outremer and Legacy

In March 1139, Innocent II issued the papal bull Omne Datum Optimum, which placed the Knights Templar directly under papal authority. He also sent Alberic of Ostia to Antioch to examine the conduct of the Latin Patriarch and establish ties with the Armenian Catholicos. This led to a Latin synod in Antioch attended by the Armenian Catholicos Gregory III, marking a significant beginning of Armenian-Latin clerical contact. Innocent II sent Gregory a letter of greeting, a staff, and a pallium, and later urged cooperation to end the schism.

Despite his efforts, the latter years of Innocent II's life saw limited permanent political gains. He faced a quarrel with Louis VII of France over an archbishopric, resulting in an interdict on France, and a conflict with the town of Tivoli. As Innocent lay dying in 1143, the Commune of Rome began deliberations that would reinstate the Roman Senate the following year, signaling a growing resistance to papal power. Innocent II was interred in a porphyry sarcophagus traditionally believed to have belonged to Emperor Hadrian. His nephews, Gregorio Papareschi and Pietro Papareschi, were elevated to cardinalates, with another nephew, Cinthio Capellus, becoming a cardinal after Innocent's death.