Gelasius II, pope (d.1119)
- Biography
- Kelly, Oxford Dictionary of Popes, 163: Gelasius, born John, was perhaps of the Gaetani noble family. He was born at Gaeta and entered the monastery of Monte Cassino, under the instruction of Alberic, the Cassinese author. He was appointed cardinal-deacon in 1088 and papal chancellor in 1089, which he held for three decades. He was elected to the papacy on 24 January 1118 but he was forced to flee soon afterwards amidst objects from Emperor Henry V. Gelasius reached Gaeta, but returned to Rome before fleeing again to France. He died at Cluny on 29 January 1119 and was buried in the abbey there.