The first to hold such an office was Cardinal Ugolino Conti (later Pope Gregory IX), who sought thereby to paralyze the intrigues of his many enemies at Rome; at the request of St. Francis himself, he was named protector of the Franciscans by Pope Innocent III, and again by Honorius III.
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He also served as the Cardinal Protector of the Cistercian Order, as well as of the Bernardine nuns and the Basilian monks, as well as of Bergamo and numerous towns and groups.
In addition, James V of Scotland appointed him Cardinal-Protector of Scottish affairs at Rome, dealing with church appointments and negotiations for the King's marriage.