Celestine III, né Giacinto Bobone (Rome, ca. 1106 –
January 8, 1198), was elected Pope on March 13, 1191, and
reigned until his death. He was born into the noble Bobones
family (ancestors of the Orsini family), though he was only a
deacon before becoming pope. He received priest's orders on
April 13, ruled the church six years, nine months, and nine days
(though believed to have been about eighty five when elected),
died January 8, 1198, and was buried at the Lateran. He crowned
the Emperor Henry VI on the day after his election with a
ceremony symbolizing his absolute supremacy, as described by
Roger of Hoveden, who is believed (more reasonably as it would
seem) by Baronius, but discredited by Natalis Alexander. He
subsequently excommunicated the same Henry for wrongfully
keeping Richard the Lionhearted in prison. In 1192, he confirmed
the statutes of the Teutonic Order of Knights. He would have
resigned the Papacy, and recommended a successor shortly before
his death, but was not allowed to do so by the cardinals
