# Celestine V

> Pope of the Catholic Church from July to December 1294

**Wikidata**: [Q118081](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118081)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Celestine_V)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/celestine-v

## Summary
Celestine V, born Pietro Angelerio, was a hermit and monk who became Pope of the Catholic Church in 1294. He is notable for his brief papacy, lasting only five months, and for founding the Celestine monastic order.

## Biography
- Born: 1215, in Isernia, Italy
- Nationality: Italian
- Education: Self-taught; lived as a hermit in the Apennine Mountains
- Known for: Founding the Celestines and serving as Pope
- Employer(s): Catholic Church, Basilica of St. Mary of Collemaggio
- Field(s): Religion, monasticism, papal leadership

## Contributions
- Founded the Celestine monastic order in 1294
- Served as the 191st Pope of the Catholic Church from July to December 1294
- Established the precedent of papal resignation, which he himself enacted
- Influenced the development of papal protocol and humility in leadership

## FAQs
### Who was Celestine V?
Celestine V was a hermit who became Pope of the Catholic Church in 1294. He is known for his brief tenure and for being one of the few popes to resign voluntarily.

### What did Celestine V accomplish as Pope?
He founded the Celestine order and, during his five-month papacy, issued the papal bull "Periculoso," which regulated papal elections and emphasized seclusion for cardinals.

### Why did Celestine V resign as Pope?
He resigned due to the pressures of the papal office and his desire to return to a life of contemplation and simplicity.

### What is the significance of Celestine V's resignation?
His resignation was rare in papal history and set a precedent. It also highlighted the tension between spiritual ideals and institutional power.

### Where was Celestine V born?
He was born in Isernia, Italy, in 1215.

### What order did Celestine V found?
He founded the Celestines, a branch of the Benedictine order, dedicated to eremitical life.

### When did Celestine V die?
He died on May 19, 1296.

## Why They Matter
Celestine V's papacy, though short, had a lasting impact on the Catholic Church. His resignation introduced a unique precedent in papal history, later echoed by Pope Benedict XVI. His life as a hermit and his emphasis on humility influenced monastic traditions and challenged the norms of ecclesiastical authority. His legacy is also preserved in Dante's *Divine Comedy*, where he is portrayed as a model of renunciation.

## Notable For
- Being the only pope to resign voluntarily until Pope Benedict XVI in 2013
- Founding the Celestine order, recognized for its eremitical practices
- Being canonized as a saint, recognized for his humility and devotion
- Influencing papal history through his brief but symbolic reign

## Body
### Early Life and Monastic Foundations
Celestine V, originally named Pietro Angelerio, was born in 1215 in Isernia, Italy. He lived as a hermit in the Apennine Mountains, where he attracted followers and founded the Celestine order in 1294. This order, a branch of the Benedictines, emphasized solitude, prayer, and simplicity.

### Papal Election and Reign
In 1294, after a prolonged papal election, he was chosen as Pope, taking the name Celestine V. His papacy began on July 5, 1294. During his reign, he issued the papal bull *Periculoso*, which mandated the seclusion of cardinals during conclaves, a reform that shaped future papal elections.

### Resignation and Legacy
Celestine V resigned on December 13, 1294, after only five months in office, citing his inability to adapt to the demands of the papacy. He was succeeded by Pope Boniface VIII. His resignation was unprecedented and highlighted his commitment to spiritual ideals over institutional power.

### Canonization and Cultural Impact
He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his tomb is located in the Basilica of St. Mary of Collemaggio in L'Aquila, Italy. His life and resignation were immortalized in Dante's *Divine Comedy*, where he is depicted in *Purgatorio* as a soul who chose humility over authority.

### Names and Aliases
Celestine V was known by various names, including Pietro da Morrone, Pietro Angelerio, Petrus de Murrone, and Pier Celestino. These aliases reflect his transition from hermit to Pope and later to saint.

### Institutional Affiliations
His primary affiliation was with the Catholic Church, where he served as both a hermit and Pope. He was also associated with the Basilica of St. Mary of Collemaggio, which became a central site for the Celestine order.

### Historical Significance
Celestine V's papacy and resignation remain unique in Catholic history. His life symbolized the conflict between spiritual purity and institutional complexity, influencing later discussions on papal authority and monastic reform. His legacy continues to inspire religious and historical scholarship.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. BnF authorities
5. CiNii Research
6. OPAC SBN
7. Enciclopedia dei Papi
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Coelestinus%20)
10. Censimento nazionale delle edizioni italiane del XVI secolo
11. [LIBRIS. 2014](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/b8nqqmxv5r1wl94)
12. FactGrid
13. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/95e05661-9bc7-460f-ba7c-1835a5d7a1a9)
14. HMML Authority File