Gregory IX

Gregory IX., nephew of Innocent III., was elected Pope in 1227, and carried on a struggle with the Emperor Frederick II. as Gregory VII. had done with Henry IV. Frederick was first excommunicated for not going on crusade, and, having failed in his invasion of the Papal territories, was fain to ask absolution in 1230. Two years later the Pope was driven from Rome, and had to appeal to the Emperor for help. In 1239, however, their relations again became hostile, and a second sentence of excommunication was launched. War was still proceeding when Gregory died in 1239. This Pope was a personal friend of Francis of Assisi, whom he canonised together with Saint Elizabeth and Dominic. He was a learned lawyer, and caused the compilation of the Decretals' in 1234. His attempts on the liberties of the English Church were more successful than his attacks on those of the French.