Eugene III, Pope Blessed
Reigned from 11 February 1145 to 8 July 1153 . Confessor of the faith; born in Montemagno, Italy as Bernardo Pignatelli; died at Tivoli, Italy . Cistercian , Abbot of Tre Fontane. He was elected pope , and forced to take up his residence at Viterbo, due to the violence of the Roman mob. He absolved the seemingly penitent exile, Arnold of Brescia , who immediately returned to Rome and stirred up further dissension, concluded by a treaty signed by the pope and the Roman Senate. This however was adhered to for only a short time and Eugene was forced to flee to France , where he directed the Second Crusade and convened important synods to discipline the clergy, propagate the faith, and encourage learning. After a second unsuccessful attempt to rule in Rome a treaty with Frederick Barbarossa promising imperial protection enabled him to end his days in peace. Feast , 8 July ; at Rome, 21 July .