1143 papal election

During the first eight years of his pontificate he faced the schism with Antipope Anacletus II (1130–1138), which finally ended in May 1138 with abdication and submission of Anacletus’ successor Antipope Victor IV (1138).

The Second Lateran Council in April 1139 deposed from the ecclesiastical offices all former adherents of the Anacletus.

After the lost battle of Galluccio on 22 July 1139 the pope was taken prisoner by Roger and was forced to confirm all privileges given to the king by Anacletus II.

In 1143, shortly before Innocent's death, the Roman people created a municipal commune which rejected the secular rule of the Papacy in the Eternal City.

The election of Innocent's successor took place in the shadow of this municipal revolution.