1. Biography of Innocent VII
2. Entry into the Curia and Career
3. Pontificate and Challenges
4. Conflict with Ladislaus and Exile
5. Return to Rome and Final Years

Biography of Innocent VII

Early Life and Education

Innocent VII, whose birth name was Cosimo Miliorati, was born in Sulmona, Abruzzo, Italy, around 1336. He came from a modest family background. He studied law at the universities of Perugia and Padua.

Entry into the Curia and Career

After completing his studies, Cosimo, along with his teacher Liniano, arrived in Rome and entered the Curia. Shortly after, he was appointed as a tax collector in England by Pope Urban VI, a position he held for ten years. He returned to Rome in 1386 and was appointed as the Bishop of Bologna in 1387, the Archbishop of Ravenna in 1389, and the Cardinal-Priest of Santa Croce in 1389. His piety and scholarship earned him great respect.

Pontificate and Challenges

In 1404, Cosimo was elected as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and took the name Innocent VII. Even as a cardinal, Innocent had vowed to overcome the schism within the Church. As Pope, he planned to convene a reconciliatory council. However, a rebellion erupted in Rome at that time.

Conflict with Ladislaus and Exile

Innocent sought help from Ladislaus of Naples, but the king demanded that the Pope abandon the idea of reconciliation with Avignon and make other concessions. Innocent refused, and Ladislaus seized the Sant'Angelo Castle, supporting the rebellious Ghibellines from there. Innocent made a grave mistake in 1405 by appointing his nephew, Ludovico Miliorati, as a cardinal. Outraged by the Roman uprising against the Pope, Ludovico ordered the capture and execution of several revolutionary leaders while they were returning from negotiations. Although Innocent was not involved in this crime, he was forced to flee to Viterbo.

Return to Rome and Final Years

Only in 1406 did the Romans allow the Pope to return. Throughout this time, Neapolitan troops occupied the Sant'Angelo Castle, launching raids on the surrounding areas. Only by excommunicating Ladislaus from the Church did Innocent compel him to leave Rome. Amidst all these challenges, the Pope completely forgot about the idea of overcoming the schism and failed to take any steps towards Avignon.

Innocent VII passed away on November 6, 1406, leaving a legacy of tumultuous times and missed opportunities for reconciliation within the Church.

Religious figure