Pope Lucius III

Pope Lucius III was the 171st pope. While he was pope for four years and 85 days, he spent all but the first four months living in exile.

Before the Papacy

Pope Lucius III was named Ubaldo Allucingoli when he was born in 1100. Some Catholic historians argue that he was born in 1097. His ancestry is unknown, but many experts believe that he was a member of the wealthy Allucingoli family.

Friendly to the Order of Cistercians

He was very friendly to the Order of Cistercians, but he never officially joined them. This group of priests and nuns branched off from the Benedictines. They were led by Bernard of Clairvaux to follow the Rule of St. Benedict to live in peace, pray and work.

Appointed a Cardinal

Pope Innocent II named him a cardinal in May 1141. He was assigned as a cardinal deacon to San Adriano, which is better known as the Senate House of Curia Julius because Julius Ceasar initially started the building. He was moved later to become a cardinal-priest at Santa Prassede, a minor basilica in Rome. Once Pope Adrian IV was elected, he was appointed as Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia and Velletria.

Dean of the Second College of Cardinals

The other cardinals voted him dean of the Second College of Cardinals. Throughout history, nine deans have been elected pope. Ubaldo Allucingoli was the second one to be elected following the election of Pope Anastasius IV in 1153.

List of Events In The Life of Pope Lucius III (Ubaldo Allucingoli)

DateAgeEventTitle
1100Born
May 114141.3AppointedCardinal-Priest of Santa Prassede
May 114141.3Elevated to Cardinal
Dec 115858.9AppointedCardinal-Bishop of Ostia (e Velletri)
115959.0Ordained BishopCardinal-Bishop of Ostia (e Velletri)
1 Sep 118181.6ElectedPope (Roma, Italy)
6 Sep 118181.6InstalledPope (Roma, Italy)
25 Nov 118585.8DiedPope (Roma, Italy)

Quick Facts

  • Born: 1097 or 1100
  • Birth Name: Ubaldo Allucingoli
  • Died: November 25, 1165
  • How he died: Died from unspecified causes during preparations for the Third Crusade
  • Papacy began: September 1, 1181
  • Papacy ended: November 25, 1185
  • Successor: Pope Urban III

Interesting Facts About the Pope

  • Discord in Rome meant that Pope Lucius III only lived in Rome from November 1181 to March 1182. After that, he first lived in Velletri, which was located about 25 miles southeast of Rome. Then, he moved to Anagn in the Latin Valley before moving on to Verona in Italy’s northeast corner.

  • Pope Lucius III refused to comply with the wishes of King Frederick I in many different situations. This conflict led to the pope refusing to crown Henry of Hohenstaufen as King Frederick I’s successor. The dispute between the church and Italian politics grew even wider.

  • The pope organized the synod at Verona, which was held in November 1184. While most of the meeting involved the condemnation of different groups, including the Cathars and Paterines, Waldensians, Josephines, Pasagians and Arnoldists, another outcome of this meeting was the recognition of matrimony as a holy sacrament.

  • Pope Lucius III was one of the last popes to believe that it was acceptable for clergy to be married. His support for married clergy can be seen in a letter to the head of the St. Augustine Canterbury concerning the retirement of the parson of Willesborough and suggesting that the parson’s son continue his studies and take over the position.