Pietro da Gerra / Ferentino / Roma (jul 8, 1299 – feb 19, 1301)

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https://www.dizionariobiograficodeifriulani.it/pietro-da-ferentino/

P. belongs to a family originally from Ferentino, which over time assumes the predicate "Egiptius", but apparently never that of "Gera" or "Guerra", with which this clergyman is mentioned in some studies: in the documentation he is indicated rather as “ Petrus Romanus"Or" de Roma ". Introduced into the curia together with two other brothers by an uncle, he soon demonstrated his qualities, gaining considerable experience in the diplomatic and administrative fields over time. Having become a subdeacon of Pope Innocent IV, P. receives a canonical benefit at the York Minster chapter in England and is subsequently appointed rector of the local church of St. Michael.

In 1245 the Pope of Lyons allows him to freely keep the benefits that he already possessed and to also hold another dignity, should it be offered to him. In 1263 Urban IV instructed P. to release the inhabitants of Cagli from the excommunication they had incurred for having supported King Manfred, trusting in the skill of his collaborator «de qua per famigliam experientiam probata plene confidimus». During this period, the Lazio clergyman certainly resides in the curia and enjoys the trust of the pontiff, who in order to favor him requires the Abbot of St. Mary of York to grant P. a benefit of thirty marks of pounds sterling, upon renunciation of the benefit in cure of St. Michael's souls. His work as assistant to him is also appreciated by the successor of Urban IV, Clement IV, who assigns him the office of papal chaplain.

In April 1267 the pontiff appointed him bishop of Sora, not accepting the postulation of the local cathedral chapter against the abbot of Casamari, and later collector of papal tithes in the Kingdom of Sicily, excluding Sicily and Calabria. In 1278 Nicolò III transferred P. to the chair of Mary of York to grant P. a benefit of thirty marks of pounds, upon waiver of the benefit in St. Michael's care of souls. His work as assistant to him is also appreciated by the successor of Urban IV, Clement IV, who assigns him the office of papal chaplain. In April 1267 the pontiff appointed him bishop of Sora, not accepting the postulation of the local cathedral chapter against the abbot of Casamari, and later collector of papal tithes in the Kingdom of Sicily, excluding Sicily and Calabria. In 1278 Nicolò III transferred P. to the chair of Mary of York to grant P. a benefit of thirty marks of pounds, upon waiver of the benefit in St. Michael's care of souls. His work as assistant to him is also appreciated by the successor of Urban IV, Clement IV, who assigns him the office of papal chaplain. In April 1267 the pontiff appointed him bishop of Sora, not accepting the postulation of the local cathedral chapter against the abbot of Casamari, and later collector of papal tithes in the Kingdom of Sicily, excluding Sicily and Calabria.

In 1278 Nicolò III transferred P. to the chair of In April 1267 the pontiff appointed him bishop of Sora, not accepting the postulation of the local cathedral chapter against the abbot of Casamari, and later collector of papal tithes in the Kingdom of Sicily, excluding Sicily and Calabria. In 1278 Nicolò III transferred P. to the chair of In April 1267 the pontiff appointed him bishop of Sora, not accepting the postulation of the local cathedral chapter against the abbot of Casamari, and later collector of papal tithes in the Kingdom of Sicily, excluding Sicily and Calabria. In 1278 Nicolò III transferred P. to the chair ofRieti : while not residing in the diocese with continuity due to curial commitments, the bishop is particularly attentive to the governance of his Church, using the help of expert vicars. In May 1279 the pope appointed him nuncio to Alfonso X il Savio, king ofCastileand Leon. Two years later P. is back in Italy and is confirmed by the new pontiff, Martin IV, the office of collector of tithes for the Holy Land. In January 1286 he was engaged, together with the bishops of Fermo and Orvieto, in a lawsuit against some Roman noble families who illegally occupied the properties of the basilica of S. Paolo. A few months later he was transferred to the archbishopric of Monreale in Sicily and was appointed administrator "in spiritualibus et temporalibus" of the diocese of Sora. This second provision seems to be dictated by the need to guarantee P. a source of income, given his inability to take possession of the Sicilian chair due to the tense relations between the papacy and the Aragonese. Towards the end of the year he is sent as nuncio toEnglandand later at Alfonso IV d 'Aragonto negotiate the liberation of Charles II of Anjou.

In April 1295 P. was appointed count general ofRomagna. His diplomatic commitment is rewarded by the pacification of the region, although some opponents, at the end of the mandate, denounce him to the Roman curia for embezzlement and "Ghibellinism". After explaining his actions, in August 1296 the archbishop obtained from Pope Boniface VIII the seat ofNola, being still unable to reside in Monreale. Two years later he is moved to the archbishopric ofCapua.

However, his stay in the archdiocese of Campania was short-lived: in June 1299, in fact, the pontiff appointed him patriarch of Aquileia.P., unable to go immediately to Friuli, is preceded by his nephew Giovanni canon of Ferentino, his vicar general, who undertakes to resolve the conflict that arose between the communities of Udine, Gemona and Cividale and the count of Gorizia after the death of the patriarchRaimondo della Torre. The new patriarch comes to Udine in September, immediately highlighting his skills as a skilled administrator and diplomat. At the beginning of October, during a session of the Friulian parliament, the goods and castles subject to the Aquileian chair are delivered. Subsequently he engages in a reconnaissance of the feudal assets with the reinvestitures. Of particular importance for P. is the normalization of relations with Gorizia and Venice. In the first case, thanks to the collaboration of his nephew Nicolò, the patriarch obtains from the countEnricocompensation for damage caused to the church of Aquileia after the death of Raimondo della Torre and the restitution of assets wrongfully stolen. In the second, he tries to resolve the Istrian question, deferring to the arbitration of Nicolò Bocassini, cardinal of S. Sabina and future Benedict XI; at the same time, P. renews the commercial pacts with Venice, undertaking to compensate the merchants of the Serenissima, damaged by the policy of his predecessor.

Relations with Gerardo da Camino, who occupied Sacile in 1300, are more difficult. An armed confrontation ensues and the defeat of the patriarchal forces. P., fearing for the fate of Friuli, therefore allies himself with the count of Ortenburg, but it is only the mediation of the count of Gorizia to put an end to the conflict. At the beginning of the following year the patriarch holds a parliament inAquileia.

February 19, 1301, in Udine, he is buried in the castle church.

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