Eugene III (?-1153) was elected pope in 1145. Eugene had belonged to the Cistercian order (community of monks). He was strongly influenced by Bernard of Clairvaux, a leader of the Cistercians in France in the 1100’s. Like Bernard, Eugene was a committed reformer and worked to improve the morals of the clergy.
Shortly after he became pope, Eugene called for a Second Crusade to recapture lost lands from the Muslims. He addressed a bull (papal letter) to King Louis VII of France urging him to undertake the Crusade. Eugene commissioned Bernard to organize support for the Crusade through preaching. Although Louis and King Conrad III of Germany led powerful armies to Asia Minor and Syria, the Crusade failed to recapture any lost Christian territory.
Eugene spent most of his reign outside Rome because the city had revolted against papal rule. He finally negotiated a return to Rome in 1153. Eugene was born in Pisa, Italy. His given name was Bernardo. He died on July 8, 1153.
See also Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint; Cistercians.
