Celestine II

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Celestine II

pope

Also known as: Guido de Castellis

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Quick Facts

Original name:: Guido Di Città Di Castello, or Guido De Castellis

Died:: March 8, 1144

Also Known As:: Guido de Castellis

Flourished:: c.1101 - c.1150

Title / Office:: pope (1124-1124)

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Celestine II (born, Città di Castello, Umbria, or Macerata, Ancona [Italy]—died March 8, 1144) was the pope from 1143 to 1144.

A scholar of noble birth, he studied under Peter Abélard, with whom he remained on friendly terms even after Abélard’s condemnation at the Council of Sens (1140). He was made cardinal deacon in 1127 by Pope Honorius II and cardinal priest (c. 1134) by Pope Innocent II, whom he was elected to succeed on Sept. 26, 1143. As pope (consecrated October 3), Celestine immediately removed Innocent’s interdict against King Louis VII of France. He died on the verge of a controversy with King Roger II of Sicily regarding Roger’s prerogatives as apostolic legate.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.