Dean Crescenzio Protodeacon Pope Gelasius II | Protopriest Boniface | |
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The Papal election of 1118 saw the election of Pope Gelasius II as the successor of Pope Paschal II, who died January 21, 1118 in Rome after an 18-year pontificate.
Contents
List of Cardinal-electors
The Papal bull In nomine Domini issued by Pope Nicholas II in 1059, stated that on the death of the incumbent pope, the cardinal-bishops should confer among themselves as to a candidate; when a candidate has been deduced the cardinal-bishops and all other cardinals are to proceed to an election.
Data on the number and composition of the College of Cardinals in January 1118, are very uncertain. The primary source was written over a dozen years later by Pandulf of Pisa, cardinal-priest of Santi Cosma e Damiano. It claimed that the election was attended by 49 cardinals (four bishops, 27 priests and 18 deacons), however, mentions the names of only 35 of them (four bishops, 20 priests and 11 deacons, including the elect).According to Pandulf, one cardinal-priest, Hugh of Santi Apostoli, was absent, to which must be added two other cardinals bishops, which Pandulf in the context of the election, although does not mention, but whose existence and dignity are documented in no uncertain terms. The credibility of the relationship Pandulf, including a list of electors, is challenged by modern historians; indicates on its polemical nature of the atmosphere resulting from the schism Antipope Anacletus II (1130-1138) Critical analysis of the sources revealed that:
In January 1118, the College of Cardinals had a population of probably only 41 members, including six bishops, 20 priests and 15 deacons, of which 36 (4, 18 and 14) participated in the election:
Two subdeacons were in attendance, Nicholas, Provost of the Choir School and Amico O.S.B. (Cluny), Abbot of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls
Absent
It is presumed that two cardinal-priests, two cardinal-bishops and a cardinal-deacon were absent:
Giovanni Subiaco was a nominee Gregory VII, the others — Paschal II.
The choice of Gelasius II
Paschal II throughout his papacy fought the investiture controversy of Emperor Henry V who supported the Roman aristocracy. After his death, the Cardinals took refuge in a Benedictine monastery on the Palatine Hill fearing supporters of the emperor. On January 24, three days after the customary prayers and devotions, the electors unanimously chose Giovanni Cardinal Coniulo from Gaeta, cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and Chancellor of the Holy See, on election he adopted the papal name Gelasius II.
Shortly after his election the pope was arrested by the Roman baron Cenzio II Frangipani, a supporter of the emperor. Despite being freed by a popular uprising in March, the pope fled from Rome to France, where he remained until his death at the beginning of the following year. During this time, the emperor appointed Archbishop Maurice Burdinusa Braga, who took the name Gregory VIII, as antipope.