Alexander III | |
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Bishop of Rome | |
![]() Alexander III bidding farewell to Thomas Becket (13th century miniature attributed to Matthew Paris, British Library) | |
Church | Catholic Church |
Papacy began | 7 September 1159 |
Papacy ended | 30 August 1181 |
Predecessor | Adrian IV |
Successor | Lucius III |
Previous post(s) |
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Orders | |
Consecration | 20 September 1159 by Ubaldo Allucingoli |
Created cardinal | October 1150 by Eugene III |
Personal details | |
Born | Rolando c. 1100–05 |
Died | Civita Castellana, Papal States | 30 August 1181
Other popes named Alexander |
Pope Alexander III (c. 1100/1105 – 30 August 1181), born Roland (Italian: Rolando), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 7 September 1159 until his death in 1181.
A native of Siena, Alexander became pope after a contested election, but had to spend much of his pontificate outside Rome while several rivals, supported by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, claimed the papacy. Alexander rejected Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos' offer to end the East–West Schism, sanctioned the Northern Crusades, and held the Third Council of the Lateran. The city of Alessandria in Piedmont is named after him.
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