(Aiunt non vos esse Papam, sed me. Saint Bernard, Roman Bishops and Papacy Mirrored in Correspondence)

Abstract: Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153) belongs to the most important historical figures of the first half of the twelfth century. Almost 500 letters were preserved form his monumental works until today. These letters were sent to most important personalities of the secular and spiritual world of his day. This article seeks to analyse and interpret the relation of Saint Bernard with popes as leader of the Catholic Church and with the papacy as an institution destined to lead the faithful to the eternal salvation. The abbot of Clairvaux kept vivid contacts with all the popes reigning between 1124 and 1153. In the case of Innocent II and Eugene III one can say that he even actively enabled their instalment on the throne of St. Peter. Just like in the case of monasticism, episcopate or lay princes, Bernard took a similar approach towards the popes. He enforced his vision of the papacy. Bernard was also able to transform these visions to real life and so he exercised a double impact on the most important institution of the Christian world.

Authors: Zupka, Dušan

DOI: 10.17846/CL.2020.13.2.76-88

Publication order reference: Mgr. Dušan Zupka, PhD.; Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Arts, General History Department, Gondova 2, 811 02 Bratislava, Slovakia; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Source: Konštatínove listy, 2020, vol.: 13, issue: 2, pages: 76-88 (PDF file)

Keywords: BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, PAPACY, CORRESPONDENCE, CHURCH REFORM, CISTERCIANS, INNOCENT II, EUGENIUS III

Language: SLOVAK