Election of the Hermit Pietro del Morrone to Pope Celestine V
by Cesare Nebbia (1536-1614)
Pietro del Morrone entered a Benedictine monastery at age 17. One of deep faith, he seemed perfectly fit to one day become Pope. There was one problem, however: Pietro was a hermit. Even the Benedictine Order, with their limited conversation, was not silent enough for him. He stowed away to Mt. Maiella with a few other monks in an attempt to be secluded and closer to God.
With the death of Pope Nicholas IV, the Papacy remained vacant for over two years due to the political polarization of the 12-Cardinals voting on a successor. Pietro del Morrone was eventually chosen to be Pope due to his lack of knowledge in politics. The then elderly man spent his days praying, fasting, and doing labor; not getting involved in politics. He chose the name Celestine and became Pope Celestine V on July 5, 1294.
But his lack of political knowledge mixed with his lack of social skills made him soft and easily manipulated. Because of this, he abdicated after spending 5 months in the position. This resignation would be aided by Cardinal Gaetani (later Pope Boniface VIII), who would become his successor, and who would eventually imprison and murder him.
Pope Celestine V was a true holy man but was not fit for the political role of being Pope. He would be condemned by Dante in The Inferno, referring to him as the “man who made the great refusal,” and giving way to Boniface VIII’s manipulation.
