Pope Innocent II served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1130 to 1143. He was born as Gregorio Papareschi and became pope during a time of significant political and religious turmoil in Europe. His papacy was marked by efforts to strengthen the authority of the church and to resolve conflicts with various European monarchs. Innocent II is best known for his role in the Second Crusade, which aimed to recapture territories lost to Muslim forces. He also worked to address issues of church reform and the appointment of bishops, striving to maintain the church's influence in a rapidly changing world.