Pope Saint Celestine V

Biography

Pope Saint Celestine V, also known as Peter Celestine, Peter Morrone, Peter of Moroni, Pietro del Morrone, and Pietro di Murrone, was born in 1210 in Isneria, Abruzzi, Italy, as Pietro del Morrone. He was the eleventh of twelve children, and unfortunately, his father passed away when Peter was quite young. Despite this difficult upbringing, Peter displayed a deep spiritual inclination from an early age, and when his mother asked which of her children would become a saint, Peter confidently responded, "Me, Mama! I'll become a saint!" At the age of 20, Peter decided to dedicate his life entirely to God as a hermit. He chose a life of solitude, prayer, manual labor, and immersing himself in the study of the Bible. Inspired by the teachings of Saint Benedict, Peter followed the Benedictine Rule. Word of Peter's holiness spread, and many other hermits sought him out for guidance and spiritual direction. This led Peter to found the Holy Spirit Community of Maiella, also known as the Celestines, as many hermits gathered around him. In 1292, a two-year conclave was held by the cardinals to elect a new pope. However, they struggled to reach a decision, causing prolonged delay. Concerned by this impasse, Peter believed that it went against God's will, and he approached the cardinals with a message: God was not pleased with the prolonged selection process. Guided by divine intervention, the cardinals ultimately chose Peter as the 192nd Pope, taking on the name Celestine V. As Pope, Celestine V's primary objective was to reform the clergy. He recognized that many members of the clergy were misusing their spiritual power to seek worldly influence and wealth. With a strong desire to restore the Church to its original Gospel spirit, Celestine focused on promoting a spirit of "Pardon." He called for a year of forgiveness of sins and a return to evangelical austerity and fidelity. Unfortunately, Celestine's reign lasted merely five months, and his inexperience in dealing with the politics of the Vatican led to mismanagement and chaos within the Curia, the Church's administrative body. Recognizing his shortcomings and the unrest caused by his lack of leadership, Celestine took responsibility for the situation. On December 13, 1294, he made the unprecedented decision to abdicate, becoming the only pope in history to do so. Celestine's successor, Pope Boniface VIII, kept him hidden for the last ten months of his life in a small room in a Roman palace. Despite the circumstances, Celestine likely found solace in this quiet seclusion, as he never lost his fondness for the hermit's life. During this period, he devoted his time to prayer. On May 19, 1296, Pope Saint Celestine V passed away in Rome of natural causes. He was buried in the church of Saint Agatha in Ferentino, Italy. However, in 1313, Pope Clement V canonized him as a saint, recognizing his exceptional holiness and spiritual contributions. In honor of his sainthood, his remains were re-interred in the Church of Saint Maria di Collemaggio in Aquila, Italy. Throughout history, Pope Saint Celestine V has been regarded as a patron of bookbinders and is held in high esteem, particularly in Italy, where his devotion to a life of simplicity and spirituality resonates with many. His feast day is celebrated on May 19th, honoring his life, his deep commitment to the Church, and his enduring legacy as a saint.