Pope Celestine V

Pope Saint Celestine V
Bishop of Rome
Portrait by Niccolò di Tommaso, Castel Nuovo
Church	Catholic Church
Papacy began	5 July 1294
Papacy ended	13 December 1294
Predecessor	Nicholas IV
Successor	Boniface VIII
Previous post(s)	Superior-General of the Celestines (1274–1294)
Orders
Consecration	19 August 1294 by Hugh Aycelin
Personal details
Born	Pietro Angelerio 1209/1210 or 1215 Near Campobasso, Kingdom of Sicily
Died	19 May 1296 Ferentino, Papal States
Coat of arms
Sainthood
Feast day	19 May
Venerated in	Catholic Church
Canonized	5 May 1313 by Pope Clement V
Attributes	Papal tiara and vestments, book
Patronage	Bookbinders, papal resignations, Aquila, Urbino, Molise, Sant'Angelo Limosano
Other popes named Celestine

Pope Celestine V (Latin: Caelestinus V; 1209/1210 or 1215 – 19 May 1296), born Pietro Angelerio (according to some sources Angelario, Angelieri, Angelliero, or Angeleri), also known as Pietro da Morrone, Peter of Morrone, and Peter Celestine, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States for five months from 5 July to 13 December 1294, when he resigned. He was also a monk and hermit who founded the order of the Celestines as a branch of the Benedictine order.

He was elected pope in the Catholic Church's last non-conclave papal election, ending a two-year impasse. Among the few edicts of his to remain in force is the confirmation of the right of the pope to resign; nearly all of his other official acts were annulled by his successor, Boniface VIII. On 13 December 1294, a week after issuing the decree, Celestine resigned, stating his desire to return to his humble, pre-papal life. He was subsequently imprisoned by Boniface in the castle of Fumone in the Lazio region, in order to prevent his potential installation as antipope. He died in prison on 19 May 1296.

Celestine was canonized on 5 May 1313 by Pope Clement V. No subsequent pope has taken the name Celestine.