Celestine V, St.
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Celestine V, St. (Pierto Angelerio; Pietro del Morrone; Pietro da Marrone): (b. 1210 or 1215, in Santangelo Limosano [IS]; d. May 19, 1296). Pope (July 5-Dec 13 1294). Born into a poor Abruzzian family, the 11th of 12 children, he chose to become a religious hermit at the age of 20. He became a spiritual leader to several other hermits and founded the Holy Spirit Community of Maiella (Benedictine Celestines). As the result of a deadlock over the election of a successor to Nicholas IV, the elderly hermit was chosen as a compromise to become Pope, taking the name of Celestine V. As pontiff, he presented a weak character and was easily manipulated. Charles II, King of Naples, was especially dominating, forcing Celestine to take up residence in Naples. Throughout most of his term, Celestine played a very minor part in affairs, the actual power of the papacy being controlled by a committee of three cardinals. After only 5 months as pope, the unhappy Celestine abdicated (Dec. 13, 1294), and was succeeded by Boniface VIII. Although wishing to return to his simple life, Celestine was considered to be a potential danger to the new papacy and found himself imprisoned in the castle of Fumone, near Ferentino [FR]. There he languished for 10 months in poor conditions until he died on May 19, 1296. Rumors that he had been murdered by having a spike thrust into his head immediately spread and there exists a hole in his skull that may confirm this. He was canonized in 1313.