Tenth Century: Twenty-three Popes
117. Benedict IV, 900-903. A moderate and wise pope, son of Mamolus, he took up the cause of the Cappodocian Bishop Maclacenus, who had been driven from his See by the Turks, giving him letters recommending him to the protection and care of all Christians. When Lambert of Spoleto died without a male heir, in 898, the political vacuum that was created was filled by King Louis the Blind of Provence (887-928) grandson of Emperor Louis. Benedict crowned Louis Emperor in 901, but the young Emperor was defeated by Berenger of Friuli (850-924). Benedict was praised by Flodoard of Rheims the Chronicler (who died in 966) for his generosity to the poor and needy. It is thought that Benedict was murdered by King Berenger for his support of Louis. Roman
118. Leo V, 903-904. Parish priest of Priapi not far from Rome. He was deposed after only thirty days by a certain priest Christopherus who had him flung into gaol where he was murdered.
119. Sergius III, 904-911. Second of the 'bad popes'. He had been a follower of Stephen VI, (896-897) the first of the bad popes. Just as Stephen had been under the influence of Lambert of Spoleto and his mother Angeltrude, so Sergius was a creature of Theophylact, financial director of the Holy See and commander of the militia, (died 920) and his ambitious wife Theodora (died 916). He set in train a dependence of the Holy See on the Theophylact family and the nobility of Rome. Roman.
120. Anastasius III, 911-913. Seemingly a weak pope who was virtually under the control of Theophylact and Theodora. This powerful family effectively controlled Rome. What is known of his pontificate indicates that he was mild and pious, but ineffective. Roman.
121. Lando, 913-914. He reigned six months and eleven days. From the Sabine Territory north east of Rome. Another pious but ineffective ruler dominated by the family of Theophylact.
122. John X, 914-928. He dealt finally with the Muslims who were ravaging central Italy. He defeated the Saracens, August 195, and put an end to sixty years of terror and destruction. In December 915 he crowned Berengar I as Emperor, and carried out a wide range of ecclesiastical reforms that enhanced the prestige of the See of Peter. He gave wide advice to the bishops of Rheims and Rouen on dealing with converted Normans who were relapsing into paganism. He was determined to remain free of interference from the nobility. He was eventually flung into gaol by Marozia, daughter of Theophylact (who died 920) virtual ruler of the nobility, and suffocated seemingly at her orders with a pillow. From Tossignano.
123. Leo VI, May-December 928. An old man when elected, he seems to have been under the control of Marozia who was waiting for her chance to foist her own son John into the highest position of the Church. Roman.
124. Stephen VII, 928-931. Like his predecessor, a stop-gap appointment, entirely under the influence of the malign Marozia who sought to use the prestige of the Holy See for her own political ends, and those of her husband, Guido Marquis of Tuscany. Roman.
125. John XI, 931-935. Son of Marozia, and expected by his mother to do her will. Both mother and son were eventually imprisoned by Alberic, Marozia's son by her first marriage. Alberic took control of the government of the city which he was to remain firmly and successfully until his death in 954. He forced his brother, John, to limit his activities to administering the Sacraments. Roman.
126. Leo VII, 936-939. A Benedictine monk he did much to foster revival of monasticism. Odo of Cluny (878-942) was invited to Rome and entrusted with the reform of religious houses in Rome. He sent a legate to Germany to assist in the reform of the clergy there, and is described by Flodoard of Rheims as wise and hospitable. Roman.
127. Stephen VII, 939-942. A learned man, blameless in in his personal life, his public life was entirely devoted to peace. Despite his efforts to act independently of Alberic, he eventually fell foul of the latter and died in prison of injuries inflicted on him by Marozia's son. Roman.
128. Marinus II, 942-946. The routine administration of this peace-loving pope was uneventful. He seems to have been intimidated by Alberic of Spoleto's treatment of his predecessor. His principal concerns seem to have been the reform of the clergy, both religious and secular, and the care of the poor. Roman.
129. Agapitus II, 946-955. Despite Alberic's interference in his pontificate, this pope managed to a great extent to maintain independence. Did much to restore peace in France and Germany, and on January 2, 948 he extended the jurisdiction of the diocese of Hamburg over Denmark and the other countries. He was a friend of Otto the Saxon King. Against his wishes, he was obliged to agree (despite the decree of Pope Symmachus (March 4, 499) that forbade agreements during a pope's lifetime about his successor) to the dying Alberic's insistence that his son Octavian not only succeed him as ruler of Rome, but as pope. The malign influence of the Theophylact family was still harassing the See of Peter. Roman.
130. John XII, 955-964. Son of Alberic of Spoleto, and third of the bad popes. He was 18 years old when elected under pressure from his family. During the nine years of his pontificate he brought the Holy See under the influence of Emperor Otto, and by a deplorable personal life scandalized many. Deposed by Otto, he led an armed revolt but died in early May of a stroke, still in his middle twenties. Spoleto.
131. Leo VIII, 963-965. Elected after the deposition of John XII, this good man was doubtfully pope (at least until John XII's death in 964) because of the ancient principle that the Holy See can be judged by no earthly power. His reign was, by comparison with John's, uneventful, but he attempted to right some of the wrongs of his predecessor. Roman.
132. Benedict V, 964-966. Priest of the highest integrity and a well-known scholar. He was called Grammaticus. He tried to make good the shameful record of the reign of John XII. He died in exile on July 4, 966, in Hamburg. Roman.
133. John XIII, 965-972. Probably the son of the sister of the infamous Marozia. Although he ruled autocratically, many of his administrative decisions were wise, and his own life seems to have been blameless. In 972 Oswald Archbishop of York received the pallium in Rome and discussed the reform of monasticism in England along the lines of reforms on the continent. Roman
134. Benedict VI, 973-974. A reforming pope who stood against the Crescenti family (relatives of the Theophylacts) he was imprisoned by them and strangled in prison by their creature Franco, the anti-Pope, whom they attempted to foist on the Church. Roman.
135. Benedict VII, 974-983. A deeply religious pope, Benedict promoted monasticism and monastic reform. His pontificate witnessed an enhancement of the Holy See. Leading prelates and lay people made pilgrimages ad limina, i.e. 'to the thresholds' or tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Patriarch Sergius of Damascus (expelled by the Muslims) sought refuge in Rome, and James Bishop of Carthage was consecrated in the Eternal City. Benedict attacked simony and promoted the education of the clergy. Roman.
136. John XIV, 983-984. Another religious and conscientious person. The Emperor Otto died in his arms of malaria (December 7, 983) and is the only German Emperor buried in Rome, in the grottos of St Peter's. Scarcely had Otto died than the anti-Pope Franco who had had Benedict VI killed, reappeared in Rome and raised a revolt and imprisoned John XIV who died of starvation four months later.
137. John XV, 985-996. A learned man, but regarded as a lover of money, this pope was accused of nepotism - i.e. appointing his relatives to high office. In other respects he was a good administrator acting vigorously in the interests of the Church at home and abroad. He mediated a peace between Aethelred II of England and Duke Richard I of Normandy, and on January 31, 993 solemnly canonized Ulrich, Bishop of Augsburg (923-73) in the first recorded ritual canonization of a saint. Roman.
138. Gregory V, 996-999. First German to be pope. Gregory was a reforming pope who tackled necessary reforms with prudence and firmness. He died at the age of thirty, of malaria. German.
139. Sylvester II, 999-1003. The first German pope was succeeded by the first French pope when Gerbert of Aurillac was elected. He took a great interest in the Christians of Poland and Hungary, and sent St Stephen the first king of the Magyars the now famous crown. He denounced simony and nepotism, and was one of the greatest scholars of all time. A mathematician, philosopher, scientist and writer he studied in the Arabic schools in Seville and Cordova in Spain. French.
117. Benedict IV, 900-903. A moderate and wise pope, son of Mamolus, he took up the cause of the Cappodocian Bishop Maclacenus, who had been driven from his See by the Turks, giving him letters recommending him to the protection and care of all Christians. When Lambert of Spoleto died without a male heir, in 898, the political vacuum that was created was filled by King Louis the Blind of Provence (887-928) grandson of Emperor Louis. Benedict crowned Louis Emperor in 901, but the young Emperor was defeated by Berenger of Friuli (850-924). Benedict was praised by Flodoard of Rheims the Chronicler (who died in 966) for his generosity to the poor and needy. It is thought that Benedict was murdered by King Berenger for his support of Louis. Roman
118. Leo V, 903-904. Parish priest of Priapi not far from Rome. He was deposed after only thirty days by a certain priest Christopherus who had him flung into gaol where he was murdered.
119. Sergius III, 904-911. Second of the 'bad popes'. He had been a follower of Stephen VI, (896-897) the first of the bad popes. Just as Stephen had been under the influence of Lambert of Spoleto and his mother Angeltrude, so Sergius was a creature of Theophylact, financial director of the Holy See and commander of the militia, (died 920) and his ambitious wife Theodora (died 916). He set in train a dependence of the Holy See on the Theophylact family and the nobility of Rome. Roman.
120. Anastasius III, 911-913. Seemingly a weak pope who was virtually under the control of Theophylact and Theodora. This powerful family effectively controlled Rome. What is known of his pontificate indicates that he was mild and pious, but ineffective. Roman.
121. Lando, 913-914. He reigned six months and eleven days. From the Sabine Territory north east of Rome. Another pious but ineffective ruler dominated by the family of Theophylact.
122. John X, 914-928. He dealt finally with the Muslims who were ravaging central Italy. He defeated the Saracens, August 195, and put an end to sixty years of terror and destruction. In December 915 he crowned Berengar I as Emperor, and carried out a wide range of ecclesiastical reforms that enhanced the prestige of the See of Peter. He gave wide advice to the bishops of Rheims and Rouen on dealing with converted Normans who were relapsing into paganism. He was determined to remain free of interference from the nobility. He was eventually flung into gaol by Marozia, daughter of Theophylact (who died 920) virtual ruler of the nobility, and suffocated seemingly at her orders with a pillow. From Tossignano.
123. Leo VI, May-December 928. An old man when elected, he seems to have been under the control of Marozia who was waiting for her chance to foist her own son John into the highest position of the Church. Roman.
124. Stephen VII, 928-931. Like his predecessor, a stop-gap appointment, entirely under the influence of the malign Marozia who sought to use the prestige of the Holy See for her own political ends, and those of her husband, Guido Marquis of Tuscany. Roman.
125. John XI, 931-935. Son of Marozia, and expected by his mother to do her will. Both mother and son were eventually imprisoned by Alberic, Marozia's son by her first marriage. Alberic took control of the government of the city which he was to remain firmly and successfully until his death in 954. He forced his brother, John, to limit his activities to administering the Sacraments. Roman.
126. Leo VII, 936-939. A Benedictine monk he did much to foster revival of monasticism. Odo of Cluny (878-942) was invited to Rome and entrusted with the reform of religious houses in Rome. He sent a legate to Germany to assist in the reform of the clergy there, and is described by Flodoard of Rheims as wise and hospitable. Roman.
127. Stephen VII, 939-942. A learned man, blameless in in his personal life, his public life was entirely devoted to peace. Despite his efforts to act independently of Alberic, he eventually fell foul of the latter and died in prison of injuries inflicted on him by Marozia's son. Roman.
128. Marinus II, 942-946. The routine administration of this peace-loving pope was uneventful. He seems to have been intimidated by Alberic of Spoleto's treatment of his predecessor. His principal concerns seem to have been the reform of the clergy, both religious and secular, and the care of the poor. Roman.
129. Agapitus II, 946-955. Despite Alberic's interference in his pontificate, this pope managed to a great extent to maintain independence. Did much to restore peace in France and Germany, and on January 2, 948 he extended the jurisdiction of the diocese of Hamburg over Denmark and the other countries. He was a friend of Otto the Saxon King. Against his wishes, he was obliged to agree (despite the decree of Pope Symmachus (March 4, 499) that forbade agreements during a pope's lifetime about his successor) to the dying Alberic's insistence that his son Octavian not only succeed him as ruler of Rome, but as pope. The malign influence of the Theophylact family was still harassing the See of Peter. Roman.
130. John XII, 955-964. Son of Alberic of Spoleto, and third of the bad popes. He was 18 years old when elected under pressure from his family. During the nine years of his pontificate he brought the Holy See under the influence of Emperor Otto, and by a deplorable personal life scandalized many. Deposed by Otto, he led an armed revolt but died in early May of a stroke, still in his middle twenties. Spoleto.
131. Leo VIII, 963-965. Elected after the deposition of John XII, this good man was doubtfully pope (at least until John XII's death in 964) because of the ancient principle that the Holy See can be judged by no earthly power. His reign was, by comparison with John's, uneventful, but he attempted to right some of the wrongs of his predecessor. Roman.
132. Benedict V, 964-966. Priest of the highest integrity and a well-known scholar. He was called Grammaticus. He tried to make good the shameful record of the reign of John XII. He died in exile on July 4, 966, in Hamburg. Roman.
133. John XIII, 965-972. Probably the son of the sister of the infamous Marozia. Although he ruled autocratically, many of his administrative decisions were wise, and his own life seems to have been blameless. In 972 Oswald Archbishop of York received the pallium in Rome and discussed the reform of monasticism in England along the lines of reforms on the continent. Roman
134. Benedict VI, 973-974. A reforming pope who stood against the Crescenti family (relatives of the Theophylacts) he was imprisoned by them and strangled in prison by their creature Franco, the anti-Pope, whom they attempted to foist on the Church. Roman.
135. Benedict VII, 974-983. A deeply religious pope, Benedict promoted monasticism and monastic reform. His pontificate witnessed an enhancement of the Holy See. Leading prelates and lay people made pilgrimages ad limina, i.e. 'to the thresholds' or tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Patriarch Sergius of Damascus (expelled by the Muslims) sought refuge in Rome, and James Bishop of Carthage was consecrated in the Eternal City. Benedict attacked simony and promoted the education of the clergy. Roman.
136. John XIV, 983-984. Another religious and conscientious person. The Emperor Otto died in his arms of malaria (December 7, 983) and is the only German Emperor buried in Rome, in the grottos of St Peter's. Scarcely had Otto died than the anti-Pope Franco who had had Benedict VI killed, reappeared in Rome and raised a revolt and imprisoned John XIV who died of starvation four months later.
137. John XV, 985-996. A learned man, but regarded as a lover of money, this pope was accused of nepotism - i.e. appointing his relatives to high office. In other respects he was a good administrator acting vigorously in the interests of the Church at home and abroad. He mediated a peace between Aethelred II of England and Duke Richard I of Normandy, and on January 31, 993 solemnly canonized Ulrich, Bishop of Augsburg (923-73) in the first recorded ritual canonization of a saint. Roman.
138. Gregory V, 996-999. First German to be pope. Gregory was a reforming pope who tackled necessary reforms with prudence and firmness. He died at the age of thirty, of malaria. German.
139. Sylvester II, 999-1003. The first German pope was succeeded by the first French pope when Gerbert of Aurillac was elected. He took a great interest in the Christians of Poland and Hungary, and sent St Stephen the first king of the Magyars the now famous crown. He denounced simony and nepotism, and was one of the greatest scholars of all time. A mathematician, philosopher, scientist and writer he studied in the Arabic schools in Seville and Cordova in Spain. French.
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