Giovanni Colonna the Elder
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Giovanni the Elder (died at Rome, 1209) was an Italian Cardinal.
He was created Cardinal-Priest of S. Prisca in 1192 by Pope Celestine III, the first of many cardinals of the Colonna family. He was made Bishop of Sabina by Pope Innocent III, and was employed on important legations to Germany, Spain, Sicily, and France.
He was the powerful friend of Francis of Assisi, and was largely instrumental in obtaining from the pope the approval of the Franciscan Rule. He is remembered at Amalfi for his munificence in building and endowing a spacious hospital.
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- This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.
