Pope Gregory IX dies 1241

On the 22nd of August 1241 Pope Gregory IX dies in Rome. He is followed by Pope Celestine IV.

Much of his papacy involved disputes with the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, who he excommunicated for not leading the Sixth Crusade as promised. Then invading Frederick's lands in Scicily when Frederick was on Crusade. This resulted in Frederick invading the papal states, and led to an uprising leading to Gregory having to flee Rome in 1232. In 1239 following the war between Frederick and the Lombard League, Gregory excommunicated Frederick again. In 1241 he declared Frederick a heretic, and called a council in Rome. Frederick's response was to sink and capture as many of the ships carry the prelates to Rome. Gregory IX died in 1241 as Frederick was preparing to attack Rome.

During his papacy Gregory cannonized St Dominic, St Francis of Assisi, St Anthony of Padua, and St Elizabeth of Hungary.