Intermountain Catholic | 1902-11-29 | Page 2 | Popes Who Were Laymen

Popes Who Were Laymen. I Several of the popes were laymen and the election of the pontificate lias several times been declined. Martin IV, was a layman, "and at one time mayor of the city of Rome. Clement IV was a lawyer and was secretary to St. Louis of France. Innocent VIII was married and the father of a large family. He did not take orders until after the death of his wife. Adrian II was elected ","v-. three times and declined twice. He was 76 years old when he was elected the third time and died at 81. He was a married man and a cardinal deacon. Persons holding that ecclesiastical rank are not pledged to vows of celibacy. He separated, from his wife after his election as pope, however, but she and his daughters lived in Rome during his pontificate and saw him frequently.