WI Pope Celestine V Flees?

Pope Celestine and his selection as Pontiff are a bit of an anomaly in Church history.

Following the death of Pope Nicholas IV in 1292, a Papal Conclave was called. However shortly after convening, it soon became apparent that the group was firmly divided into two factions, those in support of Cardinal Colonna and Cardinal Orsini. After ten days of balloting, and neither candidate coming close to the necessary two-thirds, the location of the conclave was moved to a separate location in Rome. When results proved similar, and a Cardinal died due to illness the location was moved again. And again.

With Rome destabilizing due to a lack of leadership, the Cardinals decided to convene again in Perugia for their own safety and in hopes that distance from the influence of the families of the candidates would produce results. It didn't. Tired of this nonsense, a prominent hermit wrote a letter to the remaining voters promising divine punishment if they didn't get their shit together and elect someone already.

The cardinals, frightened of God s wrath, convened for one last time when a the Dean of the College suddenly shouted, "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I elect brother Pietro di Morrone". The others quickly ratified this statement and sent notice to Pietro di Morrone.

To say the Pope-elect was reluctant to accept his post would be a bit of an understatement. When informed of his election, he promptly told the group "No", believing himself unfit for such a position. He had to be convinced personally by the Kings of Naples and Hungary. Even then, he reportedly tried to flee only to be brought back.

He would later resign, after signing a decree that stated any Pope could resign from the office.



So what if, after being informed of his election, Pope Celestine V successfully manages to flee his hermitage and escape the grasp of the authorities?
 
It would give a new meaning to sedevacantism; as opposed to being occupied by no true Pope, St Peter's chair would be empty, but the true Pope would be out there somewhere... What actually happened might have been averted, though. The man who advised Celestine that he could abdicate was elected to succeed him as Boniface VIII, and promptly imprisoned his predecessor in such straitened circumstances that he shortly died (though not before making the memorable prophecy to the new Pope that "You came in like a fox, will reign like a lion, and die like a dog", all fulfilled). He then scaled new heights for papal nepotism and theft, his kin benefiting to the tune of three cardinalates, four principalities, seven dukedoms, 139 fiefdoms, around 200 castles and untold treasure. Also new heights for papal megalomania, attempting to impose his will on every prince in Europe, culminating in the Bull Unam sanctam which ends with the modest and understated remark "we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff."

The third part of Celestine's prophecy was fulfilled when Philippe IV of France was sufficiently pissed off to egg on the Colonnas, one of the families who had suffered worst from Boniface's thefts, to take him prisoner, in the course of which they handled him so roughly that within a few days he was dead. These events led directly to the Avignon captivity, and it was 62 years from the election of Clement V, Boniface's successor after the brief reign of Benedict XI, before a Roman Pontiff again set foot in Rome. Celestine's own reign was brief and not significant. But had he fled, its ending would have been in a different manner, and his successor might have been a different man. Which would have been very significant indeed.
 
The Catholic Church is in an awkward and embarrassing position.

You must admit, the idea of the Pope running around Europe with various kings in hot pursuit is an amusing image.

It would give a new meaning to sedevacantism; as opposed to being occupied by no true Pope, St Peter's chair would be empty, but the true Pope would be out there somewhere... What actually happened might have been averted, though. The man who advised Celestine that he could abdicate was elected to succeed him as Boniface VIII, and promptly imprisoned his predecessor in such straitened circumstances that he shortly died (though not before making the memorable prophecy to the new Pope that "You came in like a fox, will reign like a lion, and die like a dog", all fulfilled). He then scaled new heights for papal nepotism and theft, his kin benefiting to the tune of three cardinalates, four principalities, seven dukedoms, 139 fiefdoms, around 200 castles and untold treasure. Also new heights for papal megalomania, attempting to impose his will on every prince in Europe, culminating in the Bull Unam sanctam which ends with the modest and understated remark "we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff."

The third part of Celestine's prophecy was fulfilled when Philippe IV of France was sufficiently pissed off to egg on the Colonnas, one of the families who had suffered worst from Boniface's thefts, to take him prisoner, in the course of which they handled him so roughly that within a few days he was dead. These events led directly to the Avignon captivity, and it was 62 years from the election of Clement V, Boniface's successor after the brief reign of Benedict XI, before a Roman Pontiff again set foot in Rome. Celestine's own reign was brief and not significant. But had he fled, its ending would have been in a different manner, and his successor might have been a different man. Which would have been very significant indeed.
So, in the short term, the Catholic Church is in a fairly bad situation but in the long term might be better off. Nearly anything to prevent the reign of Boniface could probably be considered a positive considering the disastrous effects his reign had.

The lack of Unum Sanctum will have interesting ramifications on future theology. Sedevacantism will also be very interesting.

I don't know where Celestine would actually go after escaping in this scenario.
 
You must admit, the idea of the Pope running around Europe with various kings in hot pursuit is an amusing image.

Most definitely. :D

But having to say 'Your Holiness, I command you return to Rome and accept the office." would be either embarrassing or impossible to say with a straight face, at least for me.
 
Most definitely. :D

But having to say 'Your Holiness, I command you return to Rome and accept the office." would be either embarrassing or impossible to say with a straight face, at least for me.

Yes. I am not exactly sure how it would play out if they managed to track down his Holiness after the initial escape. I mean technically, he is the Pope but is refusing to accept the duties of the office. How does a Catholic treat, or even address, such an individual? From a theological standpoint, it would be an interesting battle.

Then again, he could just have an 'accident', resolving the whole crisis before significant damage can be done.





Celestine holes up with the French Templars?

Hmmm... I really don't know much about the Templars during this period other than the fact that the Order is in its twilight. How plausible is this option and what would be the general reaction across Europe?




Any other thoughts?
 
Terribly sorry to revive an old thread, but would anyone be interested in a timeline on this?

Also, does anyone have any ideas on where he might go. I know that forty-seven suggested the Knights Templar, but why?
 
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