Pope Innocent 111 (1160/1-1216)

Born Lotario dei Conti Segni (Lothar of Seghi) Innocent 111 was one of the most powerful and influential of all the popes.

He became pope on the death of Alexander111. He was not the first choice but after just 2 ballots, on the same day the former pope died, he became his successor. He held the post for nearly 18 years.

His significance rests upon the quantity of work he accomplished and his power both inside and outside the church.

Pope Innocent 111 was a careful and frequent correspondent who wrote more than 5,000 letters to bishops, abbots, kings and others. He was involved in missions, crusades ((Fourth crusade 1202-4), efforts to turn back heresy and the education of the faithful.

His work brought him to a position where nearly every crown in Europe- including King John of England and Philip 11 of France - were brought into submission under him.

In 1209 Francis of Assisi sought permission from the pope to found a new order. The pope had doubts but following a dream on 16th April, 1210, the Franciscan Order was founded.

He was central in supporting the Catholic reforms of ecclesiastical affairs through his decretals ( edits of on doctrine or church law) and the Fourth Lateran Council. 15th November 1215 he opened the council. By its conclusion it issued 77 reformatory decrees. It encouraged the creating of schools and holding clergy to a higher standard than laity. The council also reviewed the nature of the Eucharist.

Having been involved with the fourth crusade he was looking forward to the fifth set to start in 1217. He died unexpectedly at Perugia on 16th June 1216. He was buried there until Pope Leo X111 transferred it to Lateran in December 1891

Pope Innocent 111 considered himself God’s representative on earth. More than an ordinary person but less than God.

Source
wikipedia