Election of Pope Clement III (1187)

Timeline

1. 1187Pisa · TuscanyPope Gregory VIII died in Pisa; his reign lasted only about two months, but he had successfully issued the crusade call. The papacy again faced an interregnum and had to quickly choose a successor during a critical phase of crusade mobilization to maintain organizational continuity of the religious war.
2. 1187Pisa · TuscanyThe cardinals in Pisa elected Paolo Scolari as the new pope, taking the name Clement III. Of the Roman Scolari family and formerly a cleric, he was known for his moderation and pragmatism. The election was completed at the start of crusade mobilization, and the new pope had to coordinate the kings of Europe in responding to the call for the expedition.
3. 1187–1191Rome · LazioAfter taking office, Clement III continued advancing the organization of the Third Crusade, coordinating expedition matters with monarchs such as Frederick I, Richard I, and Philip II, and handling complex diplomacy with the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. His relatively long reign carried the crusade from the call-to-arms stage into actual departure and combat.