On This Day

Bernardo is elected Pope Eugene III

Pope Eugene III (Latin: Eugenius III; c. 1080 – 8 July 1153), born Bernardo, called Bernardo da Pisa, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 15 February 1145 to his death...

Pope Eugene III (Latin: Eugenius III; c. 1080 – 8 July 1153), born Bernardo, called Bernardo da Pisa, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 15 February 1145 to his death in 1153. He was the first Cistercian to become pope. In response to the fall of Edessa to the Muslims in 1144, Eugene proclaimed the Second Crusade. The crusade failed to recapture Edessa, which was the first of many failures by the Christians in the crusades to recapture lands won in the First Crusade. He was beatified in 1872 by Pope Pius IX.

Historical Significance

Pope Eugene III (Latin: Eugenius III; c.

Events Before

  1. Possible date for establishment of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) League [disputed date - other research places date betwe

    Possible date for establishment of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) League [disputed date - other research places date between 1450 and 1660]

  2. Cardinal Guido elected Pope Coelestinus II

    Cardinal Guido elected Pope Coelestinus II

  3. King Alfonso VII of Leon recognises Portugal as a Kingdom

    Alfonso VII (1 March 1105 – 21 August 1157), called the Emperor (el Emperador), became the King of Galicia in 1111 and King of León and Castile in 1126.

  4. Gherardo Caccianemici is elected Pope Lucius II, succeeding Celestine II

    Pope Lucius II (died 15 February 1145), born Gherardo Caccianemici dal Orso, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 9 March 1144 to his death in 1145.

  5. Basilica of St Denis is dedicated near Paris, the first fully Gothic church

    Basilica of St Denis is dedicated near Paris, the first fully Gothic church

Events After

  1. Bernard of Clairvaux preaches his famous sermon in a field at Vézelay, urging the necessity of a Second Crusade. Louis V

    Bernard of Clairvaux preaches his famous sermon in a field at Vézelay, urging the necessity of a Second Crusade. Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine are present and join the Crusade.

  2. European leaders outlaw the crossbow, intending to end war for all time

    European leaders outlaw the crossbow, intending to end war for all time

  3. Jewish community in Cologne fasts to commemorate anti-Jewish violence

    Jewish community in Cologne fasts to commemorate anti-Jewish violence

  4. King Afonso I of Portugal occupies Lisbon

    Dom Afonso I nicknamed "the Conqueror" (Portuguese: O Conquistador), "the Founder" (O Fundador) and "the Great" (O Magno) by the Portuguese, was the first king of Portugal, from 26 July 1139 until...

  5. Pope Eugene III takes refuge in the castle of Ptolemy II of Tusculum

    Pope Eugene III takes refuge in the castle of Ptolemy II of Tusculum

More from the 1140s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 15, 1145?
Pope Eugene III (Latin: Eugenius III; c. 1080 – 8 July 1153), born Bernardo, called Bernardo da Pisa, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 15 February 1145 to his death in 1153. He was the first Cistercian to become pope.
Why is Bernardo is elected Pope Eugene III significant?
Pope Eugene III (Latin: Eugenius III; c.

Explore More