13th December 2025

Pope Celestine V’s brief and bizarre reign is unpacked as we explore how a reclusive hermit unexpectedly became pope in 1294, only to resign just months later. This episode covers his sudden rise, his struggle with power, the political chaos that followed, and how his abdication reshaped the papacy forever. A deep dive into one of history’s most reluctant leaders, Pope Celestine V, and the decision that made him unforgettable.