Celestine IV was a pope who served for a brief period in 1241. Born as Goffredo Castiglioni, he was elected pope on June 25, 1241, but his papacy lasted only 16 days before he died on July 10, 1241. His short reign was marked by the ongoing conflicts of the time, including struggles between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy. Before becoming pope, Celestine IV held various church positions, including that of a cardinal. His election came during a tumultuous period in the Catholic Church, and his sudden death left the papal seat vacant, leading to further political maneuvering among the cardinals.