Pope. Born Giovanni Coniulo, of noble parents at Gaeta. He was called to Rome from Montecassino, by Pope Urban II, who created him cardinal (1088) and papal chancellor (1089). He was elected pope on Jan. 24, 1118, as successor to Paschal II. His initiation into the papacy was rude. A nobleman named Cencius Frangipane broke into the monastery, grabbed him by the throat, threw him to the ground and actually kicked the old man with his spurred feet. Then he dragged him off by the hair and threw him into a dungeon. This brutal act was seemingly a sideshow to the main struggle with Holy Roman Emperor Henry V and his appointed anti-pope for control of the corporate church. Gelasius worked hard, but his health was shattered, he died while planning a council at Reims, leaving the close of the struggle to his successor, Calixtus II.
Pope. Born Giovanni Coniulo, of noble parents at Gaeta. He was called to Rome from Montecassino, by Pope Urban II, who created him cardinal (1088) and papal chancellor (1089). He was elected pope on Jan. 24, 1118, as successor to Paschal II. His initiation into the papacy was rude. A nobleman named Cencius Frangipane broke into the monastery, grabbed him by the throat, threw him to the ground and actually kicked the old man with his spurred feet. Then he dragged him off by the hair and threw him into a dungeon. This brutal act was seemingly a sideshow to the main struggle with Holy Roman Emperor Henry V and his appointed anti-pope for control of the corporate church. Gelasius worked hard, but his health was shattered, he died while planning a council at Reims, leaving the close of the struggle to his successor, Calixtus II.
Bio by: MC
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