Celestine II, né Guido di Castello (d. March 8, 1144), was Pope from 1143 to 1144. He was elected in 1143, governed the church only five months and thirteen days, died March 8, 1144, and was buried at the Lateran.

He had studied under Pierre Abélard. The principal act of his Papacy was the absolution of Louis VII of France at the request of that penitent monarch, and the removal of the interdict under which that country had lain for three years.

Initial text from the 9th edition (1876) of a famous encyclopedia. Please update as needed.