Who he was
Pierre of Tarentaise joined the Dominicans at sixteen, became a master of theology at the University of Paris in 1259, and was so admired as a teacher that he was called the most famous doctor. He served as provincial of his order in France, then as Archbishop of Lyons and Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia, and he spoke at the Second Council of Lyons and preached at the funeral of St Bonaventure there. A close adviser of Gregory X, he was elected at Arezzo in January 1276 and was the first Dominican pope. He reigned only five months, working for peace among the Italian cities and between Rudolf of Habsburg and Charles of Anjou, and died in Rome.
What he is remembered for
He is remembered as a theologian, chiefly for his commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard, and as the first Dominican to become pope. He is honoured as Blessed.
He is honoured by the Church as Blessed. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
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