St. Celestine V was a 13th century Italian hermit and religious leader who is best known for his brief papacy in 1294. He was born Pietro Angelerio in 1215 in the Abruzzo region of Italy and was the son of a small landowner. He was educated in the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L'Aquila, where he was ordained a priest in 1240. After his ordination, he became a hermit and lived in a cave near the monastery. He was known for his piety and asceticism, and his reputation as a holy man spread throughout the region.
In 1294, the papacy had been vacant for two years due to a deadlock in the College of Cardinals. Celestine was chosen as a compromise candidate, and he was elected pope on July 5, 1294. He was the first hermit to be elected pope, and he was known for his humility and simplicity. He was also known for his desire to reform the Church and to return it to its spiritual roots.
Celestine's papacy was short-lived, however. He was not a strong leader and was easily manipulated by the powerful cardinals. He was also not well-versed in Church politics and was unable to effectively address the issues facing the Church. After only five months, he resigned from the papacy on December 13, 1294. His resignation was the first in the history of the Church, and it caused a great scandal.
Despite his short papacy, Celestine left a lasting legacy. He was canonized in 1313 and is remembered for his humility and piety. He is also remembered for his desire to reform the Church and to return it to its spiritual roots. His example of humility and simplicity has been an inspiration to many throughout the centuries.
Celestine's legacy is also remembered in the form of art and literature. He is the subject of numerous works of art, including paintings by Raphael and Fra Angelico. He is also the subject of several books, including Dante's Divine Comedy and the anonymous Vita di Celestine V.
St. Celestine V was a humble and pious man who left a lasting legacy despite his brief papacy. His example of humility and simplicity has been an inspiration to many throughout the centuries. He is remembered for his desire to reform the Church and to return it to its spiritual roots. His legacy is remembered in the form of art and literature, and he is an important figure in the history of the Church.