St Celestine V

Celestine was named Pietro (Peter) when he was born. He was born into a very large family; he had 11 brothers and sisters! The family was poor, but they were rich in love. Even though his family did not have a lot of money, Peter was sent to school because he really wanted to learn. He also really wanted to be a Saint, so when he turned 20 years old he became a hermit (someone who lives alone with God). He later started a new order of monks and when he was 84 years old he was made Pope! The Cardinals were having a very difficult time deciding who should be the next Pope, so Peter decided to send them a message to hurry up and pick someone, because the Church needed a Pope. When they read his letter they decided then and there that he would be the best Pope. When Peter became Pope he picked Celestine as his new name. He was only Pope for 5 months before he decided that someone else needed to do the job, because he was too humble and simple to say no to anyone and this was causing a lot of confusion in the Church. Pope Celestine felt so bad for what he had done to the Church and asked for everyone’s forgiveness. He lived the rest of his 10 months of life in a very small room praying and being with God, which is all he ever wanted to do.