capocci was born at viterbo in 1180–1190. few details exist about his early life, and his alleged adherence to the cistercian order, including the role of abbot in the tre fontane abbey in rome, is unconfirmed. he entered the roman curia before 1215, the year in which pope innocent iii sent him to the abbey of montecassino to investigate about abbot adenulf's tenure. in 1216 capocci was created cardinal deacon of santa maria in cosmedin, and later became papal legate to lombardy.