Written by Guide Catholic
Pope Clement III (174º): Biography, Pontificate & Legacy
Pontificate: 19 December 1187–20 March 1191 · Origin: Rome, Sacro Roman Empire · Birth name: Clemens Tertius
Clement III was the 174th pope of the Catholic Church, reigning 19 December 1187–20 March 1191 during the high Middle Ages. Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
Who Was Pope Clement III?
Among the 267 popes, Clement III is number 174, remembered for the years 19 December 1187–20 March 1191 in the high Middle Ages. Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Use the sections below to move from a one-line summary of Clement III to a usable historical and spiritual picture.
Early Life & Background
Before election he was known as Paolo Scolari. Born circa 1130 Rome, Papal States, he entered a world shaped by politics and piety very different from today's global Church.
Historical Context
Clement III (#undefined) led during crusades, monastic reform, and cathedral culture — and during sharp contests between popes and emperors over authority in Christendom.
Pontificate & Key Events
The pontificate (19 December 1187–20 March 1191) centered on governance during the high Middle Ages.
Papal Acts & Achievements
Acts associated with Clement III (#174, 19 December 1187–20 March 1191) still draw historians and Catholics who want more than a one-line summary. His reign remains a link in the succession now counted at 267 popes.
Key Highlights
- 174th pope of the Catholic Church
- Pontificate: 19 December 1187–20 March 1191
- Shepherded the Church during the high Middle Ages
- Successor of St. Peter in the official Catholic list
Legacy in the Catholic Church
Clement III remains pope 174º in the Annuario Pontificio. Set against the high Middle Ages, Clement III's choices show both the limits of any one pontiff and the continuity of the office he held.
Why Catholics Study This Pope Today
Reading Clement III as pope 174º (19 December 1187–20 March 1191) is a way to study how Rome answered the crises of the high Middle Ages. Begin with this documented note: Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Then step back to the full list of 267 popes to see where Clement III sits between crisis and consolidation.
Place in the Line of Succession
Clement III followed Pope Gregory VIII (173º, 21 October 1187–17 December 1187) after a transition shaped by the politics and piety of their shared century. He was followed by Pope Celestine III (175º, 30 March 1191–8 January 1198), whose biography continues the chain on Guide Catholic. For the full chronological map, see our complete list of all 267 popes — then read neighboring biographies for contrast, not only continuity.