Celestine V, born Pietro Angelerio, was an Italian Benedictine monk and hermit who served as pope for five months in 1294. After a two-year deadlock among cardinals, the ascetic known as Peter of Morrone was elected to lead the Catholic Church. Following his brief reign, he became the first pope to abdicate his office, seeking to return to his former life of solitude. His resignation established a precedent for the right of a pope to step down from the papacy.