Gelasius II

Pope (JOHN OF GAETA), studied theology at Monte Casino, ascended gradually to the higher degrees of the Roman hierarchy, and was finally elected pope in 1118, as successor of Pascal II. The emperor Henry V, dissatisfied with this election, took upon himself to appoint another pope, under the name of Gregory VIII; and one of his generals took Gelasius prisoner, but was obliged to release him. Gelasius then went to Gaeta, where he was ordained, and afterwards to Capua, where be called a council, and excommunicated both Gregory VIII and Henry V. He finally retired to France, where he died in the convent of Cluny, January 29, 1119. See Muratori, Scriptores Rerum Italicarum 3:367; Mansi, 21:162. — Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Gen. 19:819; Bower, Hist. of Popes, 6:1.