Antipope Paschal III
Encyclopedia
Antipope Paschal III was Antipope
from 1164 to 20 September 1168.
His real name was Guido of Crema. Paschal III was the second of the antipopes to challenge the reign of Pope Alexander III
. In 1164, a small number of cardinal
s who had elected Victor IV
met again to vote Paschal III as his successor. He was established at Viterbo
and successfully prevented the legitimate pontiff from reaching Rome.
In order to gain more support from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, Paschal canonized Charlemagne
in 1165. The Catholic Church has never recognized this canonization, since Paschal was an antipope. In 1179, the Third Council of the Lateran
annulled all of his ordinances, including the canonisation. Charlemagne remained in good regard still, however, among Catholics, and Prosper Guéranger even composed a prayer to Charlemagne.
Antipope
An antipope is a person who opposes a legitimately elected or sitting Pope and makes a significantly accepted competing claim to be the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church. At times between the 3rd and mid-15th century, antipopes were typically those supported by a...
from 1164 to 20 September 1168.
His real name was Guido of Crema. Paschal III was the second of the antipopes to challenge the reign of Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III , born Rolando of Siena, was Pope from 1159 to 1181. He is noted in history for laying the foundation stone for the Notre Dame de Paris.-Church career:...
. In 1164, a small number of cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
s who had elected Victor IV
Antipope Victor IV (1159-1164)
Victor IV , born Octavian or Octavianus: Ottaviano dei Crescenzi Ottaviani di Monticelli, was the cardinal priest of Santa Cecilia before he was elected as a Ghibelline antipope in 1159, following the death of Pope Adrian IV and the election of Alexander III...
met again to vote Paschal III as his successor. He was established at Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
and successfully prevented the legitimate pontiff from reaching Rome.
In order to gain more support from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, Paschal canonized Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
in 1165. The Catholic Church has never recognized this canonization, since Paschal was an antipope. In 1179, the Third Council of the Lateran
Third Council of the Lateran
The Third Council of the Lateran met in March 1179 as the eleventh ecumenical council. Pope Alexander III presided and 302 bishops attended.By agreement reached at the Peace of Venice in 1177 the bitter conflict between Alexander III and Emperor Frederick I was brought to an end...
annulled all of his ordinances, including the canonisation. Charlemagne remained in good regard still, however, among Catholics, and Prosper Guéranger even composed a prayer to Charlemagne.