Editing Pope Innocent IV (section)

==Cardinal==
While vice-Chancellor, Fieschi was soon created [[Cardinal-Priest]] of [[San Lorenzo in Lucina]] on 18 September 1227 by [[Pope Gregory IX]]  (1227–1241).<ref>Conradus Eubel, ''Hierarchia catholica medii aevi'' I editio altera (Monasterii 1913), p. 6.</ref> He later served as papal governor of the [[March of Ancona]], from 17 October 1235<ref>Augustus Potthast, ''Regesta pontificum Romanorum'' Volume I (Berlin 1874), no. 10032.</ref> until 1240.

Sources from the 17th century onwards reported that he became [[Diocese of Albenga|Bishop of Albenga]] in 1235,<ref>Cf. Conradus Eubel, ''Hierarchia catholica medii aevi'' I editio altera (Monasterii 1913), p. 81.</ref> but  later sources disputed this claim. There is no attestation of this in any of the contemporary sources while there is evidence that the [[Diocese of Albenga|see of Albenga]] was occupied by a certain Bishop Simon from 1230 until 1255.<ref>Paravicini Bagliani,{{Incomplete short citation|date=January 2016}} pp. 64–65.</ref>

Innocent's immediate predecessor was [[Pope Celestine IV]], elected on 25 October 1241, whose reign lasted only fifteen days. The events of Innocent IV's pontificate are therefore inextricably linked to the policies dominating the reigns of popes [[Innocent III]], [[Honorius III]] and [[Gregory IX]].

[[Gregory IX]] had demanded the return of lands belonging to the [[Papal State]]s which had been seized by the [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Frederick II]]. The Pope had called a general council to seek the deposing of the emperor with the support of Europe's Church leaders. However, hoping to intimidate the Curia, Frederick had seized two cardinals traveling to the council. Being incarcerated, the two missed the [[Papal conclave|conclave]] which quickly elected [[Pope Celestine IV|Celestine IV]]. The conclave reconvened after Celestine's death split into factions supporting contrasting policies about how to treat the Emperor.