POPES
by Deb McCoy | Feb 8, 2023 | Popes
Guy Foucois was also known as Guy le Gros, which is loosely translated Guy the Fatty. Born around 1190 to a prosperous lawyer, Pierre Foucois and his wife Marguerite Ruffi, Guy was the second French pope in a row. He was from St. Giles du Gard in Languedoc, in...
by Deb McCoy | Jan 24, 2023 | Popes
Rinaldo di Jenne became pope on December 12, 1254. He was somewhere between 55 and 69 at the time, relatively old for taking on a new life. Matthew of Paris described him as kind and religious, assiduous in prayer and strict in abstinence. Between these...
by Deb McCoy | Jan 24, 2023 | Popes
Pope Innocent IV was born Sinibaldo Fieschi, around 1195. He was the son of Beatrice Grillo and Ugo Fieschi, an up and coming noble. Sinibaldo was educated at the universities of Parma and Bologna and was considered one of the best canonists of his time. Between...
by Deb McCoy | Dec 27, 2022 | Popes
Goffredo (Godfrey) de Castiglione was Pope Celestine IV for only sixteen days. How did the cardinals elect such a fragile old man? Little is known of the man who would be Pope Celestine IV. He was born in Milan some time between 1180 and 1187. He likely entered the...
by Deb McCoy | Dec 14, 2022 | Popes
Pope Gregory IX, born Ugolino of Anagni, was a man of deep moral integrity and dedication. This dedication allowed him to follow Innocent III’s policy of papal supremacy. Unfortunately, his quickness to anger and his impatience with opposition caused tension...
by Deb McCoy | Dec 2, 2022 | Popes
Medieval knight Pope Honorius III was the Pope of the Fifth Crusade. Manu call him the lesser of the three popes in succession, Innocent III, Honorius and Gregory IX. But, maybe not. Honorius III, named Cencio, son of Aimerico, was born in Italy probably between 1150...
