He is often referred to as a member of the powerful Roman Colonna family, but modern scholars have established that this is based on a lie from the beginning of 16th century.
According to Roger of Hoveden, he was nominated by Celestine III to succeed him in 1198, but appears to have received the cardinal priesthood of Santa Prisca as a consolation prize from Celestine's successor Innocent III; however, since he was actually appointed to that rank in 1193, this story seems to be inaccurate.
He delivered a revised version of the decretal Vergentis in senium, first issued by Innocent in March 1199 for Viterbo in the Papal States.
The Languedocian version of the decretal was considerably less harsh, omitting a clause calling for the dispossession of the Catholic heirs of heretics.
He was the powerful friend of Francis of Assisi and was instrumental in obtaining papal approval of the Franciscan Rule.