Who he was
Giovanni Gaetano Orsini was born in Rome to the great Orsini family; his father was a friend of St Francis. Made a cardinal by Innocent IV in 1244, he served under six popes and was known for his independence and for never accepting gifts for his services. He was elected at Viterbo after a six-month vacancy and set out to free Rome and the Papal States from outside control, securing the Romagna from Rudolf of Habsburg and limiting the power of Charles of Anjou. He died at Soriano, near Viterbo, in August 1280.
What he is remembered for
He made the Vatican the regular residence of the popes, enlarging the palace and acquiring the land that became the Vatican Gardens. His constitution Exiit qui seminat (1279) became the standard reading of the Rule of St Francis on poverty. He was also criticised for favouring his relatives with offices.
Sources
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