New era and new policy: Pope Martin 5th

The Constance council from 1414 to 1418 elected the new pope, Oddone Colonna, that has took the name of Martin 5^th(1417-1431); this dates certainly don’t interest somebody, the answer after the read is: “I don’t give damn”; very right! But a date that historically can interest is the qualities of Church to pick the men, regard above all, the pope; an example is very recent, the last pope Leon 14^th is moderate pope, to political strategy, he isn’t too to left or too right, he is in center, politically he is between right and left, after the Francis pope, to left and the Gregory too right, now was necessary to Church a pope in the middle of these two positions; Baron Ludwig von Pastor(1854-1928) the major historical man of popes in modern era, may unconsciously has given some indication to define this pope: “The new pope descended from noble and principal family in Rome, he has had appointed from pope Innocents 7^th to Holy College in June of 1405…and in judgement he has had very much qualities that were necessaries to his high dignity, he was expert to canonic right, resolute and strong, naïve but very Spartan to life; “he has took very few party during the fight of parties and he treated with way very friendly every member of council of Constance, so the relations of ambassadors  present to council are very full of compliment to pope…”, but other question, certainly more important than election of pope, in that framework, was vital to cardinals, this is reform of Church, after the French transfer; in that moment was necessary that a pope was strong but no much so that the reform doesn’t damage the familiar interest of cardinals, thereupon a pope was necessary but much moderate; in fact same von Pastor says: “The Christianity could give to happiness  without border to election of martin 5^th, if he has treated with strongly to Church reform, that was nevertheless in great difficulties…but afrter his election to pope role it’s evident that it hope very scant to this matter”; it is motive to election of Martin 5^th, he made few that the framework required and after the great schism, this is the fight between the legitimate popes and the against popes, that was cause to clashes in the Church, and cause of different and contrary ideologies; hence it is moment when was necessary the calm, thereby a man that has the moderate character and friendly was necessary to Church, because also a Church very weak allowed to enemies of Europe to attack and with some promise of power to future, the alliance would be very much; a man with inclusive wit would be ideal pope, because he could gather everybody and reunite the forces necessary to contrast an common enemy. Ulterior proof of this intention is step of von Pastor: "The pope promised then that the first, he is going to elect  cardinals, how much it is possible,  from all the countries of Christianity..."; it is certitude of above  said, because every country, incluse the French, could be represented; important was to Martin 5th reach the unity of Church, thereupon we are brothers more than in Christ in policy.The diplomatic and politic qualities of martiv5th are evident from an episode that seen Balthasar Costa, this is against pope John 23th, that in Milan was received by Martin pope and was appointed Archbishop of Tuscolo, after that he has renounced to his papacy and after he has honored Martin as legitimate pope, Martin could give harm his adversary, but Martin known perfectly the art of policy, thereupon an adversary in the clergy was more easily controlled, it is motive to election to bishopric. Other question, certainly more important and great describes von Pastor, when he describes the policy condition of other Italian cities: “Bologna was become an independent republic and the great part of Church state was prey of much aristocratic families. Martin needed an way to solve this context very serious to manage in diplomatic art. The first was reached an accord with the queen of Naples; in fact martin recognized to hers the rights to reign of Naples, hence the coronation but with accord that the queen have to aind martin to manage and consolidation of papacy power in Rome and the State of Church…To this accord the queen sent, in 6^th March of 1419, hers general Sforza Attendolo that evacuate Rome. After Naples Martin, in February 1420, worked to Florentine, and he reached an accord with the bully Braccio da Montone, that had mid meridional Italy, and he was a formidable warrior. Braccio da Montone reached by pope, as vicar of Church the feuds of Perugia, Assisi, Todi and Jesi…, and in the July of 1420, he become the Bologna city to obedience of pope.” In conclusion Martin 5^th was the perfect pope.

Alessandro Lusana