Pope Gelasius II dies 1119

Pope Gelasius II dies at Cluny on the 29th of January 1119. His papacy had been dogged by disputes with the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V over who had the right to appoint bishops and abbots. Gelasius was captured and imprisoned for 61 days, by supporters of the Emperor, until freed by a general uprising by the populace of Rome.1

After his release he left Rome, but returned in July with the protection of Norman Mercenaries.2 As the attacks continued he left Rome and set out for a council at Reims, whilst at Cluny in France, he died of pleurisy.3

Gelasius was succeeded by Pope Callistus II.

• 1. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/227919/Gelasius-II
• 2. http://atheism.about.com/library/glossary/western/bldef_gelasiusii.htm
• 3. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06407a.htm