Papal election, 1287–1288
Encyclopedia
The papal election from April 4, 1287 to February 22, 1288 was the deadliest papal election
in the history of the Roman Catholic Church
, with six (or five) of the sixteen (or fifteen) cardinal electors perishing during the deliberations. Eventually, the cardinals elected Girolamo Masci, O.Min. as Pope Nicholas IV
, almost a year after the death of Pope Honorius IV
, who died on April 3, 1287. Nicholas IV was the first Franciscan
pope.
The cardinals' deaths are usually attributed to malaria
. After the deaths of the six cardinals, the remaining electors—with the exception of Masci—left Rome
and reassembled on February 15. Upon finding that Masci had remained at Santa Sabina
in Rome the reassembled cardinals immediately elected him, but he refused until he was re-elected on February 22. It was thought at the time that Masci had survived by keeping a fire burning in his room to "purify" the pestilential vapors, or mal aria thought to cause the disease.
The election was held near Santa Sabina
on Aventine Hill
in the Savelli palace, Corte Savella, which Honorius IV had built and used as the de facto papal residence. According to Smith, Nicholas IV was, like his predecessor, "an undisguised partisan of the French interest" and "another example of the dishonest use of spiritual authority for political ends, by releasing Charles II of Naples
from an inconvenient oath to Alfonso III of Aragon
".
Papal conclave
A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a Bishop of Rome, who then becomes the Pope during a period of vacancy in the papal office. The Pope is considered by Roman Catholics to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church...
in the history of the Roman Catholic Church
History of the Roman Catholic Church
As the oldest branch of Christianity, along with Eastern Orthodoxy, the history of the Catholic Church plays an integral part of the History of Christianity as a whole. This article covers a period of just under 2,000 years....
, with six (or five) of the sixteen (or fifteen) cardinal electors perishing during the deliberations. Eventually, the cardinals elected Girolamo Masci, O.Min. as Pope Nicholas IV
Pope Nicholas IV
Pope Nicholas IV , born Girolamo Masci, was Pope from February 22, 1288 to April 4, 1292. A Franciscan friar, he had been legate to the Greeks under Pope Gregory X in 1272, succeeded Bonaventure as Minister General of his religious order in 1274, was made Cardinal Priest of Santa Prassede and...
, almost a year after the death of Pope Honorius IV
Pope Honorius IV
Pope Honorius IV , born Giacomo Savelli, was Pope for two years from 1285 to 1287. During his unremarkable pontificate he largely continued to pursue the pro-French policy of his predecessor, Pope Martin IV...
, who died on April 3, 1287. Nicholas IV was the first Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
pope.
The cardinals' deaths are usually attributed to malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
. After the deaths of the six cardinals, the remaining electors—with the exception of Masci—left Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and reassembled on February 15. Upon finding that Masci had remained at Santa Sabina
Santa Sabina
The Basilica of Saint Sabina at the Aventine is a titular minor basilica and mother church of the Roman Catholic Dominican order in Rome, Italy. Santa Sabina lies high on the Aventine Hill, beside the Tiber, close to the headquarters of theKnights of Malta....
in Rome the reassembled cardinals immediately elected him, but he refused until he was re-elected on February 22. It was thought at the time that Masci had survived by keeping a fire burning in his room to "purify" the pestilential vapors, or mal aria thought to cause the disease.
The election was held near Santa Sabina
Santa Sabina
The Basilica of Saint Sabina at the Aventine is a titular minor basilica and mother church of the Roman Catholic Dominican order in Rome, Italy. Santa Sabina lies high on the Aventine Hill, beside the Tiber, close to the headquarters of theKnights of Malta....
on Aventine Hill
Aventine Hill
The Aventine Hill is one of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was built. It belongs to Ripa, the twelfth rione, or ward, of Rome.-Location and boundaries:The Aventine hill is the southernmost of Rome's seven hills...
in the Savelli palace, Corte Savella, which Honorius IV had built and used as the de facto papal residence. According to Smith, Nicholas IV was, like his predecessor, "an undisguised partisan of the French interest" and "another example of the dishonest use of spiritual authority for political ends, by releasing Charles II of Naples
Charles II of Naples
Charles II, known as "the Lame" was King of Naples, King of Albania, Prince of Salerno, Prince of Achaea and Count of Anjou.-Biography:...
from an inconvenient oath to Alfonso III of Aragon
Alfonso III of Aragon
Alfonso III , called the Liberal or the Free , was the King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona from 1285...
".
Cardinal electors
Elector | Nationality | Order | Title | Elevated | Elevator | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bentivenga da Bentivengi Bentivenga da Bentivengi Bentivenga da Bentivengi was an Italian Franciscan and cardinal.He was born in Aquasparta and entered the Order of Franciscans in young age. He became famous as preacher. In 1276 he was elected bishop of Todi. Pope Nicholas III in the consistory of March 12, 1278 created him Cardinal-Bishop of... , O.F.M. |
Acquasparta Acquasparta Acquasparta is a town and comune in the province of Terni . It is located on a hill above the Naia Valley and the river of the same name, facing the Monti Martani mountain range.... |
Cardinal-bishop | Bishop of Albano | March 12, 1278 | Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St... |
Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals; Grand penitentiary |
Latino Malabranca Orsini Latino Malabranca Orsini Latino Malabranca Orsini was an Italian Cardinal-nephew of Pope Nicholas III.He was son of Roman senator Angelo Malabranca and Mabilia Orsini, sister of Pope Nicholas III. He entered the Order of Preachers in his youth and studied law at University of Paris. He obtained the titles of doctor in law... , O.P. |
Roman Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... |
Cardinal-bishop | Bishop of Ostia e Velletri | March 12, 1278 | Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St... |
Inquisitor General of the Papal Inquisition; Cardinal-nephew Cardinal-nephew A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to... |
Bernard de Languissel | French France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
Cardinal-bishop | Bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina | April 12, 1281 | Martin IV Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death.... |
|
Giovanni Boccamazza Giovanni Boccamazza Giovanni Boccamazza was an Italian Cardinal. He was from the Roman nobility, related to the Savelli family and was a nephew of Pope Honorius IV.... |
Roman Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... |
Cardinal-bishop | Bishop of Frascati | December 22, 1285 | Honorius IV Pope Honorius IV Pope Honorius IV , born Giacomo Savelli, was Pope for two years from 1285 to 1287. During his unremarkable pontificate he largely continued to pursue the pro-French policy of his predecessor, Pope Martin IV... |
Cardinal-nephew Cardinal-nephew A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to... |
Gerardo Bianchi Gerardo Bianchi Gerardo Bianchi – was an Italian churchman.He studied law at the University of Bologna and became canon of the cathedral chapter of Parma. Pope Nicholas III in the consistory of March 12, 1278 named him Cardinal Priest of SS. XII Apostoli... |
Parma Parma Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world.... |
Cardinal-bishop | Bishop of Sabina | March 12, 1278 | Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St... |
Some sources indicate that he was absent |
Girolamo Masci Pope Nicholas IV Pope Nicholas IV , born Girolamo Masci, was Pope from February 22, 1288 to April 4, 1292. A Franciscan friar, he had been legate to the Greeks under Pope Gregory X in 1272, succeeded Bonaventure as Minister General of his religious order in 1274, was made Cardinal Priest of Santa Prassede and... , O.F.M. |
Ascoli Ascoli -Places of Italy:*Ascoli Piceno, a city and provincial seat in Marche*Ascoli Satriano, a town in the Province of Foggia*Porto d'Ascoli, a civil parish of San Benedetto del Tronto, in the province of Ascoli Piceno*Province of Ascoli Piceno, a province of the Marche... |
Cardinal-bishop | Bishop of Palestrina | March 12, 1278 | Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St... |
Elected Pope Nicholas IV Pope Nicholas IV Pope Nicholas IV , born Girolamo Masci, was Pope from February 22, 1288 to April 4, 1292. A Franciscan friar, he had been legate to the Greeks under Pope Gregory X in 1272, succeeded Bonaventure as Minister General of his religious order in 1274, was made Cardinal Priest of Santa Prassede and... |
Jean Cholet Jean Cholet Jean Cholet was a French cardinal who was commissioned by Pope Martin IV to preach the Aragonese Crusade in 1283.He was given legatine authority over the orders of friars as part of his commission to preach the plenary indulgence to all those who fought alongside Charles of Valois for the Crown of... |
French France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
Cardinal-priest | Title of S. Cecilia | April 12, 1281 | Martin IV Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death.... |
Protopriest Protopriest Protopriest — in the College of Cardinals, is the first Cardinal-Priest in the order of precedence. This title is always attached to the most senior Cardinal Priest according to date of his creation. From the 17th century until the end of 19th century Protopriest usually opted for the titulus San... |
Matteo Orsini Matteo Orsini Matteo Orsini was an Italian Dominican and Cardinal.He entered the Dominican Order, completed the full course of theology, obtained the Degree of Master, and taught theology at Paris, Florence, and Rome... |
Roman Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... |
Cardinal-deacon | Deacon of S. Maria in Portico | May 22, 1262 | Urban IV Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV , born Jacques Pantaléon, was Pope, from 1261 to 1264. He was not a cardinal, and there have been several Popes since him who have not been Cardinals, including Urban V and Urban VI.-Biography:... |
Protodeacon Protodeacon Protodeacon derives from the Greek proto- meaning 'first' and diakonos, which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiting-man," "minister" or "messenger." The word in English may refer to various clergymen, depending upon the usage of the particular church in question.-Eastern... after the death of Goffredo da Alatri; archpriest of the Vatican Basilica; cardinal-protector of the Order of Franciscans |
Giacomo Colonna Colonna family The Colonna family is an Italian noble family; it was powerful in medieval and Renaissance Rome, supplying one Pope and many other Church and political leaders... |
Roman Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... |
Cardinal-deacon | Deacon of S. Maria in Via Lata | March 12, 1278 | Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St... |
Archpriest of the Liberian Basilica |
Benedetto Caetani, seniore Pope Boniface VIII Pope Boniface VIII , born Benedetto Gaetani, was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1294 to 1303. Today, Boniface VIII is probably best remembered for his feuds with Dante, who placed him in the Eighth circle of Hell in his Divina Commedia, among the Simonists.- Biography :Gaetani was born in 1235 in... |
Anagni Anagni Anagni is an ancient town and comune in Latium, central Italy, in the hills east-southeast of Rome. It is a historical center in Ciociaria.-Geography:... |
Cardinal-deacon | Deacon of S. Nicola in Carcere Tulliano | April 12, 1281 | Martin IV Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death.... |
Future Pope Boniface VIII Pope Boniface VIII Pope Boniface VIII , born Benedetto Gaetani, was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1294 to 1303. Today, Boniface VIII is probably best remembered for his feuds with Dante, who placed him in the Eighth circle of Hell in his Divina Commedia, among the Simonists.- Biography :Gaetani was born in 1235 in... |
Goffredo da Alatri† | Alatri Alatri Alatri is a town and comune of province of Frosinone in the Italian region of the Lazio, with c. 30,000 inhabitants. A part of the traditional region of Ciociaria, it is famous for its megalithic acropolis.-History:... |
Cardinal-deacon | Deacon of S. Giorgio in Velabro | December 17, 1261 | Urban IV Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV , born Jacques Pantaléon, was Pope, from 1261 to 1264. He was not a cardinal, and there have been several Popes since him who have not been Cardinals, including Urban V and Urban VI.-Biography:... |
Protodeacon Protodeacon Protodeacon derives from the Greek proto- meaning 'first' and diakonos, which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiting-man," "minister" or "messenger." The word in English may refer to various clergymen, depending upon the usage of the particular church in question.-Eastern... ; Died in 1287, possibly during the sede vacante Sede vacante Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church... after April 3, 1287 |
Giordano Orsini† | Roman Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... |
Cardinal-deacon | Deacon of S. Eustachio | March 12, 1278 | Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St... |
Died during the sede vacante Sede vacante Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church... on September 8, 1287 |
Hugh of Evesham Hugh of Evesham Hugh of Evesham was a 13th century English churchman, physician and alchemist. Given his name, it is likely that he came from Evesham, Worcestershire. Hugh studied at Oxford University in the 1260s and in 1275, now Archdeacon of Worcester, went to study in Continental Europe... † |
English Kingdom of England The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England... |
Cardinal-priest | Title of S. Lorenzo in Lucina | April 12, 1281 | Martin IV Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death.... |
Died during the sede vacante Sede vacante Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church... on September 4, 1287 |
Gervais Jeancolet de Clinchamp† | French France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
Cardinal-priest | Title of Ss. Silvestro e Martino ai Monti | April 12, 1281 | Martin IV Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death.... |
Died during the sede vacante Sede vacante Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church... on September 15, 1287 |
Glusiano de Casate† | Milan Milan Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,... ese |
Cardinal-priest | Title of Ss. Marcellino e Pietro | April 12, 1281 | Martin IV Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death.... |
Died during the sede vacante Sede vacante Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church... on April 8, 1287 |
Geoffroy de Bar† | French France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
Cardinal-priest | Title of S. Susanna | April 12, 1281 | Martin IV Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death.... |
Died during the sede vacante Sede vacante Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church... on August 21, 1287 |