Antipope Anacletus II

Antipope Anacletus II, born Pietro Pierleoni in 1091, emerged as a significant figure in the tumultuous landscape of the Roman Catholic Church during the early twelfth century. His reign as antipope began in 1130, following the death of Pope Honorius II, amidst a divided college of cardinals. Uniquely, the election process was limited to eight cardinals, resulting in the election of Gregorio Papareschi as Pope Innocent II. However, a larger faction of cardinals chose Pierleoni, igniting a major schism within the Church.

Supported predominantly by the Roman populace and influential families such as the Frangipani, Anacletus II's authority was challenged when Innocent II fled to France to garner support. Despite his backing from the local community, Anacletus struggled to secure alliances beyond Rome. His opposition, Innocent II, found crucial backing from prominent religious figures, including Bernard of Clairvaux and Peter the Venerable, which further marginalized Anacletus's position.

As the years progressed, Anacletus faced dwindling support and lived through a prolonged crisis that ultimately remained unresolved at the time of his death on January 25, 1138. The schism continued to affect the Church, with the second Lateran Council in 1139 eventually addressing the division, although opinions remained split long after.