Election of Pope Lucius III (1181)

Timeline

1. 1181Civita Castellana · LazioPope Alexander III died at Civita Castellana, ending a papal reign of more than twenty years. His long struggles with the empire and antipopes were largely concluded, and the College of Cardinals had to quickly elect a new pope to maintain papal authority.
2. 1181Velletri · LazioThe College of Cardinals held a conclave at Velletri and elected Ubaldo Allucingoli as the new pope. Taking the name Lucius III, he had formerly been cardinal-bishop of Ostia and was known for his steadiness; the election was relatively swift, with no serious schism.
3. 1181–1185Rome · LazioAfter his accession, Lucius III continued to address the division of spiritual and secular power, the heresy question, and relations with Frederick I's empire. His reign covered papal diplomacy after the Peace of Constance in 1183, and in 1184 he convened an important council at Verona, laying the foundation for papal policy at the end of the 12th century.