ANTI-POPE GREGORY VIII

by | Apr 30, 2022 | Popes

The antipope Gregory VIII was born Mauritius Burdinus, or, in French, Maurice Bourdin (later used as a play on words since bourdin means donkey). Born around 1065, Maurice lived in Limousin, Occitania, France. This was a semi-autonomous region which composes the...

Pope Gelasius II, the Suffering Pope

by | Apr 24, 2022 | Popes

Pope Gelasius II Probably no pope suffered as many indignities in as short a period of time as Pope Gelasius II. Born Giovanni (John) Caetani (of Gaeta), of noble parents, about 1060/64, the child showed much intelligence. He was sent to Monte Cassino, the famous...

POPE PASCAL II AND CONTINUED TROUBLES

by | Apr 15, 2022 | Popes

Pope Paschal II was born Ranierius in Bleda, Romagna, a small town in north central Italy. His date of birth is assumed to be between 1050 and 1055. At a young age, Ranierius was sent to the abbey of Cluny, in France, to become a religious monk. As a young man, still,...

THE CRUSADES AND POPE URBAN II

by | Apr 7, 2022 | Popes

Pope Urban II encouraged Christian warriors to fight in the Crusades Eudes de Lagery, or Odo, as is more common, went on to become Pope Urban II, the man who started the Crusades. Born around 1035, he was member of a noble family from a village near Reims, France. He...