Viterbo Papacy

With a long history as a vantage point for anti-popes forces threatening Rome,[1] Viterbo became a papal city in 1243.

[3] Shifting political and economic alliances pushed and pulled various popes of that century from Rome, taking refuge in other, not invariably hospitable, Italian city-states like Perugia and Orvieto.

The primary cleavage in these divisions was between the Angevin and Hohenstaufen claimants to the title of Holy Roman Emperor, whom the pope could crown.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia article on Viterbo, "during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the city several times afforded the popes an asylum.

[4] Viterbo remained loyal to Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, and refused to admit Pope Gregory IX in 1232.

Alexander IV began enlarging the bishop's residence by the cathedral, and the Papal Palace was completed probably in 1266.

John XXI expanded the papal palace in Viterbo, and died when a section of the roof collapsed on him.

[5] Four popes were buried in Viterbo: Nicholas III, from the powerful Roman Orsini family, was returned to Old St. Peter's Basilica for burial.