POPES
by Deb McCoy | Oct 25, 2022 | Popes
Born around 1130, Paolo Scolari, a Roman citizen, was an older man when he took the throne of Peter December 17, 1187. Pope Gregory VIII died after only two months as he began preparations for the Third Crusade. Taking the name of Clement, the new Pope had much energy...
by Deb McCoy | Oct 11, 2022 | Popes
Pope Gregory VIII was a very old man when he called for the Third Crusade against the Moors of the Middle East. Born Alberto di Morra in around 1100 to 1105, he was the son of the noble, Sartorius di Morra. His hometown was Benevento, Papal States. Alberto became a...
by Deb McCoy | Sep 7, 2022 | Popes
One of the oldest popes, Lucius was a political man as well as a negotiator. Lucius was born around 1097, making him 84 when he ascended to the chair of Peter. Born Ubaldo Allucingoli, he was likely the son of Orlando, a member of a prominent Lucca family. We know...
by Deb McCoy | Sep 7, 2022 | Popes
Roland, or Orlando, Bandinelli of Siena was pope from 7 September 1159 to 30 August 1181. His was the longest reign since Adrian I in the eighth century. Born around 1100-1105, Orlando probably studied at Bologna where he became a renowned canonist and lawyer, writing...
by Deb McCoy | Sep 7, 2022 | Popes
Nicholas Breakspear was born around 1100 in Hertfordshire, England. He bears the distinction of being the only pope of English origin. Nicholas may not have a lot of schooling as a child. His parents were of humble origin. As a relatively young man, Nicholas went to...
by Deb McCoy | Aug 31, 2022 | Popes
Pope Anastasius IV was born about 1073 and was named Corrado (Conrad) Demetri della Subarra. He was a Roman, the son of Benedictus della Subarra. If the computations are correct, that means that he became pope at the age of 80. At one time, historians claimed that...
