Matteo Rosso Orsini (1178–1246), called the Great, was Roman politician and father of Pope Nicholas III. He was named a senator of the City of Rome by Pope Gregory IX in 1241: In this capacity he took a firm stand against the ventures in Italy of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, and defeated him in 1243. He was an effective lord of the Eternal City during sede vacante 1241 and had a considerable influence on the papal election, 1241, when the cardinal electors were confined in Septizonium by his orders. He extended the territories of the Orsini family. He was also a personal friend of St Francis of Assisi and protector of his Order.