- Antipope Nicholas V
Nicholas V, born Pietro Rainalducci (died 16 October 1333) was an
antipope inItaly from 12 May 1328 to 25 July 1330 during thepontificate ofPope John XXII (1316–34) atAvignon . He was the last Imperial antipope, that is, set up by aHoly Roman Emperor .Biography
Rainalducci was born at
Corvaro , an ancient stronghold nearRieti inLazio . He joined theFranciscan order after separating from his wife in 1310, and became famous as apreacher . He was elected through the influence of the excommunicatedEmperor ,Louis IV the Bavarian , by an assembly of priests and laymen, and consecrated atSt. Peter's Basilica inRome on 12 May 1328 by the bishop ofVenice . After spending four months in Rome, he withdrew with Louis IV toViterbo and then toPisa , where he was guarded by the imperialvicar . On 19 February 1329 Nicholas V presided at a bizarre ceremony in the Duomo of Pisa, at which a straw puppet representingPope John XXII and dressed in pontifical robes was formally condemned, degraded, and handed over to the secular arm. Nicholas V was excommunicated by John XXII in April 1329, and sought refuge with CountBoniface of Donoratico nearPiombino . Having obtained assurance of pardon, he presented a confession of his sins first to thearchbishop of Pisa , and then atAvignon on 25 August 1330 to John XXII, who absolved him.He remained in honourable imprisonment in the papal palace, Avignon until his death in October 1333.
References
*1911
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