Pope Innocent III was one the greatest Pope the Catholic Church have in history. His activities resulted in the refinement of Western Canon laws. He actively supported the reforms of ecclesiastical affairs of the Catholic Church through his decretals as well as the fourth Lateran Council. He was quite influential since at one time the King of England referred to as Jon declined Pope Innocent`s appointee for an archbishop of Canterbury in 1208.
Background
Pope Innocent III was born in place known as Gavignano which is close proximity with Anagni. His parents were Count Trasimund from Segni and Claricia Scotti. He was born in a Roman royal family. His parents took him to school where he specialized in Theology and law in Paris and Bologna. Around 1190 he was appointed as cardinal deacon to minister to St. Sergius with St. Bacchus. He was very dedicated in his work as a deacon and this made him the perfect candidate for the pope position. In that case he was elected as a pope eight years later after which he was ordained in the month of February.
As a new Pope he was so much into the system of papal monarchy, where he could act as a representation of Jesus Christ and all his juniors to submit under his authority. He focused most of his attention to heresy and crusade. The crusades were aimed at uniting the Latin and the Greek churches. He proclaimed that the church should be viewed and handled as a state. The reason behind his motives was to make a crime which is against the state.Before was elected as the Pope papacy was never regarded with much respect. In that case his first task as a pope was to empower papacy into a strong and a prestigious institution as well as advocating for peace among the rival aristocratic factions.
Pope Innocent III strongly believed that the pope had a right to approve or disapprove any election that raised some questions . Despite opposing secular power in most of the remainder Europe the pope indulged in matters pertaining France and England. His control over German and Italy was enough to make papacy an institution of high reputation thus being at the forefront of politics during the medieval period.
He ordered the church not to marry, baptize or even bury anybody and this became a challenge to the entire nation. John was quite angry that he decided to expel a good number of Bishops which let hell lose. Pope Innocent in return declared the throne empty after excommunicating the king. In addition he even invited the French to intrude the country. John felt powerless and for once admitted that the Pope was more superior to him. That was in the year 1213. Ironically after Pope was recognized superior he still went ahead and proclaimed Magna Carta empty on grounds that John had entered into it without his permission.
He expressed amazing leadership skills right from childhood. The truth is Pope Innocent was born a leader. Despite having a spirit that always ready to fight back or engage in argument he could never withstand the power of depression. He used to get depressed when things were too tough to grasp. According to him a pope is the Lord of all secular ruler of the entire globe. He occasionally stated that all kings enter the throne by God`s power and Grace as well as the pope. Pope Innocent feared that the dispute between Pisa and Genoa would prevent his next planned crusade. In that case he decided to reunite them but during that trip he had recurring fevers causing his death in July 16th 1216.
Education
Lotario Scotti (Pope Innocent III) schooled in the best institutions since he was born in a Royal Roman family. He learnt Theology in Paris and later studied Canon Law in Bologna. Pope Lucias III along with Gregory VIII assigned him with very noble tasks. His selection as a cardinal was backed up by the presence of his uncle Pope clement III. Soon after the demise of Pope Celestine III he was appointed to occupy Peter`s chair. After a quick ordination as a priest he was consecrated Innocent III.He came to power at a tender age due to his excellent leadership skills and the knowledge he had acquired in school.
In Paris, the Pope studied theology under theologians Peter of Poitiers, Melior of Pisa and Peter of Corbeil. He studied law between 1187 and 1189 in Bologna. Innocent never was elected as a pope after the death of Celestine III who died on January 1198. He was consecrated as Innocent III at only thirteen years of age. He was so enthusiastic about protecting the freedom of the church from defilement by secular leaders. He also wanted to raise the reputation of papacy. He believed that the involvement of secular leaders in selecting Bishops was trespassing since they were without holiness. He managed to protect Patrimonium from the German kings who were after making patrimonium completely vulnerable.
Career
Due to his strong believe that Papal power entailed more than just scriptures he managed to acquire large amounts of land . Theoretically bishops and clergy were agents of papal`s program. At one time Pope Innocent III called the fourth Lateran council in the year 1215. During this period he instructed 1200 bishops, abbots and all nobles from Europe to aid him in generating new laws or refine the existing laws. All this was meant to mobilize the masses in supporting the Pope as the most superior in the entire empire.
Religion
Innocent III referred himself as the ‘Vicar of Christ’. He believed that the church is the most powerful institution and every other authority should be under the church. He viewed himself as holy despite some of his adversaries rebuking his actions. As a matter of fact he spent his life as a pope cultivating for the reformations of the church. Most of his missions aimed at protecting the liberty of the church. He ensured that he regained the papal power during his reign. He was the most powerful pope that ever existed at his time. He reasserted the position of the church along integrating the church in passing decisions pertaining the Kings to be appointed.
Politics
Innocent III with his leadership skills reformed the secular politics. He abolished all the politics that undermined the church for instance he fought the indulgence of princes in appointing the bishops. And according to him Papacy held the supremacy in the empire. No king was to be appointed without the approval of the Pope. At times he used to place kingdoms under interdict as well as threatening kings with excommunication for instance Philip II Augustus of France and John of England. John ended up surrounding authority to Papacy. During Innocent`s pontificate Hungary, Portugal, and Aragon surrendered the authority to papacy. Innocent believed in fullness of power and all the church and secular leaders were his juniors.
Personality
Pope Innocent III was highly famous due to his personal piety and dedication. He was highly ambitious with a strong will to reform the church as well as have control over the whole empire. He was highly skilled as a preacher and theologian. He was an all-round person since he indulged in solving cases as a lawyer as well as engaging in politics. Despite his strong personality he was prone to depression. However as a Vicar of Christ and a powerful prince he was never able to solve the conflict. In fact at one time, one of his adversaries told him that his words had everything to do with God unlike his deeds which reflected the devil. Pope was born as a ruler to an extent he entered into leadership at a tender age. He had influential leadership skills since he led the papacy to its temporal and spiritual heights.
Physical Characteristics:
The pope had a well built and strong body. Despite never marrying he had all the qualities a woman would look for in a man, though Innocent three chose to dedicate his life in ministry as a Pope. He was so prone to depression which at times would weaken his body. But he spent most of his life as a healthy man until when he died after contracting a fever in one of his trips. He had so much interest in secular leadership as well as spiritual matters. He had influential power and would easily mobilize the masses. He aimed at liberating the church and urging the princes to keep off the church matters. In the long last his dream came to a reality.
Connections
Pope was born in a Roman royal family that was financially stable thus taking him to the best schools of the time. His father by the name Count Transimund of Segni came from a prominent house in Conti which produced nine popes. Some of them included Gregory IX Alexander IV and Innocent XIII. Pope Clement III was Lotario`s nephew. His mother was Claricia Scotti and she also belonged to the same royal roman family. He was appointed as a cardinal at a tender age by Pope Celestine III since he was a close relation. The fact that he came from a noble family elevated him to leadership at a very young age. The reason why the pope turned out to be ‘Innocent the great’ is a result of his family status.