Adrian V.

Hadrian V (Latin Hadrianus PP V), secular name Ottobuono de Fieschi (Genoa, Republic of Genoa, c. 1210/1220 - Viterbo, Papal States, August 18, 1276), was the 186th Pope of the Catholic Church from July 11, 1276 until his death, just over a month after his election.

Diplomatic and religious life

Ottobuono belonged to a Ligurian feudal family, the Fieschi, Counts of Lavagna. His first administrative position came in 1243, when he was created papal chaplain. Subsequently he received various ecclesiastical benefices, becoming archdeacon at Bologna in 1244 and at Parma in 1244 or 1248 to 1255; canon and chancellor of the cathedral chapter in Reims between 1243 and 1250; canon and dean of the chapter in Piacenza about 1247 and canon of the cathedral chapter in Paris from 1244 or 1245 to 1270. In December 1251, he was created cardinal deacon of Saint Hadrian by his uncle, Pope Innocent IV. He was also archpriest of the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, which has been attested since 1262.

Papal legate in England

He was sent to the Kingdom of England in 1265 by Pope Clement IV to mediate between King Henry III of England and his barons, and to preach the crusades. He remained there for several years as papal legate, serving from October 1265 to July 1268. Such was his diplomatic position that his name is still on the oldest piece of English state law, the Marlborough Charter of 1267, where the title formal mentions as a witness Mr. Ottobon, at that time legate in England. Next to him was a young diplomat named Benedetto Gaetani. In April 1268 he issued a set of canons, which formed the basis of church law in England until the Anglican Reformation of the 16th century.

Fieschi was distantly related, by affinity, with Henry III; his sister had married Thomas II, Count of Piedmont, a cousin of Henry's wife, Eleanor of Provenza.

It was there that he probably met the English music theorist Amerus, who would work for him. He probably made the musical work Practica artis musicae for him, the only one of his authorship that is currently known.

Papacy

Under the influence of King Charles of Anjou, he was elected Pope to succeed Innocent V in the conclave of July 1276, being elected on July 11; choosing the name of Adriano. The only important provision of his government was to annul the Ubi periculum , the regulations of the conclave arranged by Gregory X; which would make future elections of the Pope difficult until 1294.

Hadrian V died in Viterbo on 18 August 1276 of an unknown disease, without even having been ordained as a priest. He is buried there in the Basilica of San Francesco alla Rocca. The funerary monument of him is attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio.

Because of his short tenure, Paul VI removed him from the official pope list in 1975.