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Lotarlo (Lothair) dei Conti Segni (Pope Innocent III - 1198-1216) is commemorated on the 800th anniversary of his death. Czech Republic artist Marina Rictherova designed a €0,95 stamp, incorporating considerable symbolism into the design. It includes a reproduction of a painting of Innocent III perhaps modeled after a fresco at the Monastery of Subiaco in Rome. A mendicant monk is also depicted on the stamp, because Innocent III approved the Franciscan order in April 1210. (His successor, Pope Honorius III approved the Dominican Order in December 1216). 
Elected pope at age 38, he is aptly described by the UFN brochure as "...a man of refined culture, deeply religious, rich in interior piety, dedicated to an austere asceticism, and a tireless priest and pastor of souls." At the top of the stamp is a map of the Eastern Mediterranean territory which symbolizes Innocent's desire for a union of Western and Eastern Christianity. To this end be authorized the Fourth Crusade (1202-1204). Unfortunately, outside of his control, the Venetian ships sailed to Constantinople and troops sacked the city, arguably a defeat from which it never fully recovered. Innocent denounced this attack. He also authorized crusading efforts against heretic Cathars in southern France. Innocent Ill's papacy occurred at the peak of the High Middle Ages and he is often termed "the Arbiter of Christendom." Innocent's motto was "to root up...and to plant," from Jeremiah 1:10. He promoted the title, Vicar of Christ (Vicarus Christi), emphasizing the superiority of spiritual power over temporal authority. Innocent extended papal authority throughout dioceses in Western Europe by insisting that all appeals in canon law matters be referred to Rome for final decision, thus also expanding the papal archives (a useful reference for successors). He was deeply involved in political maneuvering in the Holy Roman Empire, France, and England, using excommunication of kings or interdicts to enforce his authority, and to maintain the independence of the Roman papal states. Innocent III summoned the 4th Lateran Council to meet in December 1215 which continued the reforming trends of prior Lateran councils. He died suddenly in Perugia on 16 July 1216, perhaps from malaria. His remains were moved to the Basilica of St John Lateran in 1891.

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