Pope 176
Innocent III
The 176th pope in the Holy See's list of Supreme Pontiffs, serving as Bishop of Rome from 8.I, 22.II.1198 to 16.VII.1216. His secular name is listed as Lotario dei conti di Segni. The Holy See lists his birthplace as Gavignano (Rome).
Why this pontificate matters
Innocent III is one of the high points of medieval papal power. His pontificate makes sense only when read as institution, law, council, diplomacy, and spiritual authority all acting through the Roman see.
The main line remains simple, but the papal office around it has become institutionally dense.
This is a strong candidate for a future long-form explainer page.
Predecessor
- Celestine III · succeeded in see · documented
Innocent III follows Celestine III as Bishop of Rome in the Holy See's sequential list of Supreme Pontiffs.
Successor
- Honorius III · succeeded in see · documented
Honorius III follows Innocent III as Bishop of Rome in the Holy See's sequential list of Supreme Pontiffs.