Blessed Pope Innocent V

Life story

Pierre was born around 1225 in the Tarentaise region of south-eastern France; sources think Champagny the most likely birthplace. He entered the Dominican Order as a young man, at sixteen according to one source. He studied at the University of Paris and became master of theology there in 1259, winning fame as a professor and preacher and the title Doctor famosissimus. He also served as provincial of the Dominicans in France.

In 1272 Pope Gregory X made him archbishop of Lyon, and in 1273 he became cardinal-bishop of Ostia. He took part in the Second Council of Lyon in 1274, delivering two addresses to the assembled fathers and the funeral oration for St. Bonaventure. His works include a commentary on Peter Lombard's Sentences, a commentary on the Pauline letters (its authorship is disputed) and four philosophical treatises.

He was elected pope at Arezzo on 21 January 1276, succeeding Gregory X, and took the name Innocent V; he was the first Dominican to hold the office. In his short pontificate he worked to reconcile the Guelfs and Ghibellines in Italy, Pisa and Lucca, and Rudolph of Habsburg and Charles of Anjou, and to strengthen the union with the Greeks agreed at Lyon. He died in Rome on 22 June 1276, after about five months in office. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1898.

Works and witness

• Master of theology at Paris in 1259; Dominican provincial in France
• Archbishop of Lyon in 1272 and cardinal-bishop of Ostia in 1273
• Took part in the Second Council of Lyon in 1274; preached Bonaventure's funeral oration
• Elected pope on 21 January 1276, the first Dominican to hold the office
• Worked to reconcile rival parties and rulers in Italy and Europe

Saints from the same country

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Louis IX of France, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Francis de Sales

References

• New Advent, Catholic Encyclopedia (1910), 'Pope Innocent V', newadvent.org/cathen/08018a.htm
• Catholic-Hierarchy.org, entry for Pierre de Tarentaise (beatification, 1898: cross-check)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.