This week in Christian history: Ethiopian Church leader killed, pope consecrated
Honorius III consecrated pope – July 24, 1216
This week marks the anniversary of when Cencio Savelli was consecrated pope, taking the name of Honorius III upon becoming head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Honorius III had an eventful reign that lasted until his death in 1227, which included approving the creation of the Dominican, the Franciscan, and the Carmelite holy orders.
While being a peacemaker when disputes emerged among European monarchs, Honorius III also was known to have called for holy wars against various non-Christian populations.
“[Honorius III] sponsored a crusade against the Moors in Spain, ordered a Crusade to retake the Holy Land from Muslims, and bade King Louis VIII to engage in a crusade against the heretical Albigenses of southern France,” noted the Christian History Institute.
“He also commanded Prussia’s neighbors to crusade against that region because of its persistent paganism.”