Who he was
Cosimo de' Migliorati was born of humble parents at Sulmona, studied law at Perugia, Padua and Bologna, and taught law before entering the papal service. He spent about ten years in England as papal collector, then became Bishop of Bologna, Archbishop of Ravenna and, in 1389, a cardinal. Esteemed for his piety, learning and skill with finances, he was elected in Rome in October 1404 during the Western Schism. His short reign was troubled by risings in Rome and by King Ladislaus of Naples, and he died in November 1406.
What he is remembered for
He promised to call a council to end the schism, but unrest in Rome kept him from doing so. The one stain on his reign was making his nephew Ludovico a cardinal; the nephew's murder of Roman leaders forced the pope to flee to Viterbo for a time. He planned to restore the University of Rome, but died first.
Sources
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