Pope Celestine V: The Humble Pope Who Resigned

ST. PETER CELESTINE POPE

Pope Celestine V, born Pietro del Morrone, was a 13th-century hermit and pope known for his brief papacy. He served as pope for just five months before abdicating due to the overwhelming duties of the office. Choosing solitude and spiritual peace over papal power, his abdication remains an unprecedented event in Church history. He was canonized as a saint in 1313, remembered for his holiness and humility.

Pope Celestine V, born Pietro del Morrone in 1215, was an Italian monk and hermit who became famous for his brief papacy. Before his election as pope, he lived a life of deep spirituality and asceticism. Celestine founded the Celestine Order, which was a branch of the Benedictine tradition, emphasizing a life of solitude and prayer. His early years were marked by his desire to live a contemplative life far from the political world.

In 1294, after a two-year papal vacancy following the death of Pope Nicholas IV, the papal conclave was unable to reach a consensus. The cardinals eventually turned to Pietro del Morrone, who, due to his reputation for piety and holiness, was seen as a neutral figure. Celestine was elected pope and took the name Celestine V. His election, however, was a source of great difficulty for him. Despite being revered for his spiritual wisdom, he was not prepared for the administrative and political responsibilities that came with the papacy.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Celestine V struggled with the overwhelming duties of governance. He felt out of place in the political environment of the Church and found the demands of leadership too heavy for him to bear. After only five months in office, he made the extraordinary decision to resign from the papacy on December 13, 1294, citing his inability to manage the complexities of the office. His resignation was unprecedented, as no pope had ever voluntarily abdicated before.

After his resignation, Celestine returned to his former life as a hermit. However, his decision to step down was not without consequences. Pope Boniface VIII, his successor, feared that Celestine’s resignation might set a precedent and lead to opposition. Thus, Celestine was placed under house arrest, confined to a remote fortress. There, he lived in isolation until his death on May 19, 1296. While some accounts suggest he died of neglect or possibly even poisoning, the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear.

Pope Celestine V was canonized as a saint by Pope Clement VIII in 1313. His feast day is celebrated on May 19, the day of his death, in recognition of his devotion to a life of prayer, humility, and the pursuit of peace. He is remembered as a man of extraordinary piety who chose the contemplative life over the worldly power of the papacy. His legacy lives on as an example of spiritual courage and integrity, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Feast Day

19-5-1313

Birth Date

27-10-1215

Died Date

19-5-1296

Canonised Date

5-7-1313

Not definitively known; likely in the church of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, L'Aquila, Italy.

St. Peter Celestine, Humble pope and servant of God, Pray for us to live with humility and peace. Help us to follow God’s will with trust And serve others with love. Amen.
ST. PETER CELESTINE POPE

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ST. PETER CELESTINE POPE

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