Lucius II | Pope, Roman Catholic, Papacy (original) (raw)

Quick Facts

Original name:

Gherardo Caccianemici

Died:

Feb. 15, 1145, Rome

Lucius II (born, Bologna, Papal States [Italy]—died Feb. 15, 1145, Rome) was the pope from 1144 to 1145.

He was made cardinal by Pope Callixtus II in 1123 and papal chancellor by Pope Innocent II, whom he aided against the antipope Anacletus II. He was elected to succeed Celestine II on March 12, 1144. When King Roger II of Sicily invaded papal lands and forced Lucius to accept his truce, Anacletus’ brother, the patrician Giordano Pierleoni, led the Romans to proclaim a constitutional republic free from papal civil rule. Lucius opposed this bid for Roman independence, led an unsuccessful assault against the rebels, and presumably died from injuries suffered in the conflict.

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