Innocent IV (1200?-1254) was elected pope in 1243. During most of his reign, Innocent was preoccupied with disputes with the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. Innocent fled to France in 1244 because he feared that Frederick’s troops would seize him. In 1245, Innocent excommunicated Frederick (cut him off from the church) and declared him deposed at a council held in Lyons. Frederick died in 1250. In 1251, Innocent triumphantly returned to Italy.
Innocent’s struggle with the Holy Roman Empire was costly. He concentrated on defeating Frederick and neglected spiritual concerns. Innocent centralized papal (of the pope) authority and introduced practices that would later be considered abuses. His policies were designed to raise money for the papal armies, and these measures lowered the reputation of the papacy. Innocent was born in Genoa, Italy. His given and family name was Sinibaldo Fieschi. He died on Dec. 7, 1254.
