Lentorama 2010: Two Millennia of Pointy Hats

Day 26: Honorius III (1216-1227)

Facing violence within Italy, a potential invasion of Tatars, and a potential schism, the cardinals in Rome after the death of Innocent III appointed two of their number to choose the new pope. They came up with Honorius, who looked to be an easy choice as he was a Roman and had a reputation for kindness. It didn't hurt that he was also once tutor to soon-to-be Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II.

The main event of Honorius' papacy was the Fifth Crusade, which he planned to have start in 1217. A troubled start led Honorius to believe that the only man who could lead the crusade was Frederick, who was pledged to go but kept finding ways to not go. Frederick finally started to make serious preparations in 1227, but Honorius died before Frederick finally left.

Honorius was able to do something of lasting value by giving papal approval to the Dominican, Franciscan and Carmelite orders during his term of office. He was also in favor of greater training for clergy, and even refused to approve the appointment of a couple due to shortcomings in theology and general literacy, which seem like important areas for clergy to excel.