Person
Pope Paschal II
head of the Catholic Church
Paschal II (died 21 January 1118), born Ranierius, is Pope from 13 August 1099 until his death.
A monk of the Cluniac order, he is created cardinal priest of the Titulus S. Clementi by Pope Gregory VII (1073–85) about 1076, and is consecrated pope in succession to Pope Urban II (1088–99) on 19 August 1099.
His reign of almost twenty years is exceptionally long for a Pope of the Middle Ages.