Innocent dies on December 7, 1254. His…
1254 CE
Innocent dies on December 7, 1254.
His successor, Rinaldo of Jenne, Bishop of Ostia, is, on his mother's side, a member of the family Conti, the counts of Segni, like Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) and Pope Gregory IX (1227-1241); the latter, who was his uncle, had made him Cardinal Deacon in 1227 and Bishop of Ostia in 1231.
Upon his election at Naples on December 12, he takes the name Alexander IV.
As guardian of Conradin, the Hohenstaufen heir, he promises his benevolent protection; but in less than two weeks he conspires against him and bitterly opposes Conradin's uncle Manfred, excommunicating him.