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Today’s earthquake-related papal fact

Francis X. Rocca

Among the many art works and monuments damaged by Monday’s earthquake in central Italy is a medieval church where Pope Celestine V was crowned in 1294, and where he lies buried today.

Celestine, who reigned for less than six months, is best known for having resigned from office (though he was apparently not the only pope to do so).

Although the Catholic church considers Celestine a saint, some interpretations of Dante’s Inferno argue that the poet consigned the shirker to hell (ironically enough, since his name means “heavenly”).


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