wished the cardinals in his hands to return to Rome, they must elect as pope Otto of St. Nicholas, an amenable compromise figure. Matteo Rosso Orsini's candidate, Romano da Porto, who had persecuted scholars at the University of Paris, was considered unacceptable. Only on 25 October 1241 was the cardinal bishop of Sabina finally elected by the required two-thirds majority, seven cardinals out of ten. He took the name Pope Celestine IV but occupied the throne for only seventeen days. It is said that this was nevertheless long enough for him to proceed, as his only significant act, with the excommunication of Matteo Rosso Orsini. This assertion is disputed, it being said that in fact, Orsini continued as Senator of Rome in 1242 and was Senator when Innocent IV (Fieschi) was elected; and that his son (the future Nicholas III) was made a cardinal in 1244. In any event, Celestine IV died before he could be crowned, on 10 November 1241, of fatigue and old age, and was entombed in St Peter's. See also List of popes Notes Sources Lexikon der Mittelalters, vol. iii, part 7 (On-line). A standard account. External links Popes Italian popes Cardinal-bishops of Sabina Diplomats of the Holy See 13th-century Italian Roman Catholic bishops Clergy from Milan Celestine IV Cardinal-nephews Year of birth unknown 13th-century popes Burials at St. Peter's Basilica