Birthplace
Bologna
Pope from
12 March 1144
Pope until
15 February 1145
Died
15 February 1145
Who he was
Gherardo, a canon regular of Bologna, was made a cardinal by Honorius II and served several times as legate in Germany, where he helped win support for Innocent II against the antipope. He was papal chancellor when he was elected in March 1144.
What he is remembered for
His short reign was troubled by King Roger of Sicily and by the new republican senate in Rome, which demanded that the pope hand over his temporal power. According to Godfrey of Viterbo he was struck by stones while leading an attack on the Capitol and died a few days later. He gave the monastery of St Sabas on the Aventine to monks from Cluny.
Sources
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