Background
Since his position in Rome was generally insecure, Eugene spent most of his pontificate (1145-1153) in traveling through France, Germany, and Italy, but he finally succeeded in restoring the temporal power. Although he had received the abjuration of Arnold of Brescia in 1145, Eugene was obliged to excommunicate him again in 1148, when the violent reformer advocated not only the abolition of the temporal power of the papacy but also the subordination of the spiritual to the civil power. It was for Eugene III that St. Bernard wrote his famous treatise De consideratione, which combines ascetical and mystical principles with shrewd reflections on ecclesiastical and secular politics. Eugene III died at Tivoli, July 8, 1153. His feast day is July 8.