Resignation of Pope Celestine V

Date: December 13, 1294 • Location: Rome, Italy

Saint Celestine V resigns the papacy after only five months to return to his previous life as an ascetic hermit.

Pope Celestine V, born Pietro Angelerio, also known as Pietro da Morrone, Peter of Morrone, and Peter Celestine, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States for five months from 5 July to 13 December 1294, when he abdicated. He was also a monk and hermit who founded the order of the Celestines as a branch of the Benedictine order.