Pope Benedict IX: Difference between revisions
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'''Benedict IX''', né '''''Theophylactus''''' ([[Rome]], ''ca''. 1012 |
'''Benedict IX''', né '''''Theophylactus''''' ([[Rome]], ''ca''. 1012 – possibly 1055, 1065, or 1085) was [[Pope]] from 1032 to 1044, again in 1045, and finally from 1047 to 1048, the only man to have served as Pope for three discontinuous periods (and also one of the youngest Popes in history). The son of [[Alberich III]], [[Count]] of [[Tusculum]], Benedict IX was the nephew of [[Pope Benedict VIII]] (1012–24) and [[Pope John XIX]] (1024–32). His father obtained the Papal chair for him, granting it to his son in October 1032. |
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It has been stated that Benedict was no older than 12 when made pontiff. Some sources even claim 11. If this were true, then he would be the youngest |
It has been stated that Benedict IX was no older than 12 when made pontiff. Some sources even claim 11. If this were true, then he would be the youngest Pope ever. But the ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02429a.htm] and other sources claim that he was around 18 to 20 years old. Since his precise date of birth is unknown, it can be said with certainty only that he must have been one of the youngest Popes. |
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Benedict, being a child or an adolescent at the time of his first assumption of the Holy See, was entirely unsuited to be pontiff; he reportedly led an extremely dissolute life, although in terms of [[theology]] and the ordinary activities of the Church he was entirely orthodox. St. Peter Damian described him as "feasting on immorality" and "a demon from hell in the disguise of a priest" in the Liber Gomorrhianus, a treatise on papal corruption and sex that accused Benedict of routine homosexuality and beastiality. |
Benedict IX, being a child or an adolescent at the time of his first assumption of the Holy See, was entirely unsuited to be pontiff; he reportedly led an extremely dissolute life, although in terms of [[theology]] and the ordinary activities of the Church he was entirely orthodox. St. Peter Damian described him as "feasting on immorality" and "a demon from hell in the disguise of a priest" in the Liber Gomorrhianus, a treatise on papal corruption and sex that accused Benedict IX of routine homosexuality and beastiality. He was briefly forced out of Rome in 1036 and needed the support of Emperor [[Conrad II]] (1024–39) to return. In September 1044 he was forced from the city again and replaced by [[Pope Silvester III]] (1045), sometimes considered an [[antipope]]. Benedict IX's forces returned in April 1045 and expelled his rival. Benedict IX then resigned in May 1045, possibly desiring to [[marriage|marry]], selling his office to [[priest]] John Gratian, his [[godfather]] (possibly for over 650 kg /1450 lb <!-- troy or avoirdupois? --> of [[gold]]). Gratian became [[Pope Gregory VI]] (1045–46) in May, 1045. Benedict IX apparently soon regretted the sale and returned to try to depose Gregory VI; Silvester III also re-emerged to make his claim. |
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Benedict retook Rome and remained on the throne until July 1046, although Gregory is still regarded as the official |
Benedict IX retook Rome and remained on the throne until July 1046, although Gregory VI is still regarded as the official Pope at that point. Emperor [[Henry III]] (1039–56) intervened and at the [[Council of Sutri]] in December 1046 Benedict IX and Silvester III were deprived of their offices and Gregory VI was encouraged to resign; Benedict IX did not actually attend. The German Bishop Suidger was crowned [[Pope Clement II]] (1046–47). Benedict IX rejected this and when Clement II died in October 1047 he seized the [[Lateran Palace]] in November 1047, but was driven away in July 1048 and Poppo of Brixen as finally succeeded Clement II as [[Pope Damasus II]] (1048). Benedict IX refused to appear on charges of [[simony]] in 1049 and was [[excommunication|excommunicated]]. |
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Benedict's eventual fate is obscure. He may have given up and [[papal abdication|resigned the pontificate]], dying around 1065 in the Abbey of [[Grottaferrata]]. Other sources say he died in 1085. [[Pope Leo IX]] may have lifted the ban on him. Another report is that he continued to seek support for a return but died in January 1055 or 1056. |
Benedict IX's eventual fate is obscure. He may have given up and [[papal abdication|resigned the pontificate]], dying around 1065 in the Abbey of [[Grottaferrata]]. Other sources say he died in 1085. [[Pope Leo IX]] (1049–54) may have lifted the ban on him. Another report is that he continued to seek support for a return but died in January 1055 or 1056. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 07:22, 20 February 2006
Pope Benedict IX | |
|---|---|
| File:B Benedikt IX.jpg | |
| Installed | 1. October, 1032 2. April, 1045 3. November, 1047 |
| Term ended | 1. September, 1044 2. May, 1045 3. July, 1048 |
| Predecessor | 1. John XIX 2. Silvester III 3. Clement II |
| Successor | 1. Silvester III 2. Gregory VI 3. Damasus II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Theophylactus ca. 1012 |
| Died | 1055, 1065, or 1085 |
Benedict IX, né Theophylactus (Rome, ca. 1012 – possibly 1055, 1065, or 1085) was Pope from 1032 to 1044, again in 1045, and finally from 1047 to 1048, the only man to have served as Pope for three discontinuous periods (and also one of the youngest Popes in history). The son of Alberich III, Count of Tusculum, Benedict IX was the nephew of Pope Benedict VIII (1012–24) and Pope John XIX (1024–32). His father obtained the Papal chair for him, granting it to his son in October 1032.
It has been stated that Benedict IX was no older than 12 when made pontiff. Some sources even claim 11. If this were true, then he would be the youngest Pope ever. But the Catholic Encyclopedia [1] and other sources claim that he was around 18 to 20 years old. Since his precise date of birth is unknown, it can be said with certainty only that he must have been one of the youngest Popes.
Benedict IX, being a child or an adolescent at the time of his first assumption of the Holy See, was entirely unsuited to be pontiff; he reportedly led an extremely dissolute life, although in terms of theology and the ordinary activities of the Church he was entirely orthodox. St. Peter Damian described him as "feasting on immorality" and "a demon from hell in the disguise of a priest" in the Liber Gomorrhianus, a treatise on papal corruption and sex that accused Benedict IX of routine homosexuality and beastiality. He was briefly forced out of Rome in 1036 and needed the support of Emperor Conrad II (1024–39) to return. In September 1044 he was forced from the city again and replaced by Pope Silvester III (1045), sometimes considered an antipope. Benedict IX's forces returned in April 1045 and expelled his rival. Benedict IX then resigned in May 1045, possibly desiring to marry, selling his office to priest John Gratian, his godfather (possibly for over 650 kg /1450 lb of gold). Gratian became Pope Gregory VI (1045–46) in May, 1045. Benedict IX apparently soon regretted the sale and returned to try to depose Gregory VI; Silvester III also re-emerged to make his claim.
Benedict IX retook Rome and remained on the throne until July 1046, although Gregory VI is still regarded as the official Pope at that point. Emperor Henry III (1039–56) intervened and at the Council of Sutri in December 1046 Benedict IX and Silvester III were deprived of their offices and Gregory VI was encouraged to resign; Benedict IX did not actually attend. The German Bishop Suidger was crowned Pope Clement II (1046–47). Benedict IX rejected this and when Clement II died in October 1047 he seized the Lateran Palace in November 1047, but was driven away in July 1048 and Poppo of Brixen as finally succeeded Clement II as Pope Damasus II (1048). Benedict IX refused to appear on charges of simony in 1049 and was excommunicated.
Benedict IX's eventual fate is obscure. He may have given up and resigned the pontificate, dying around 1065 in the Abbey of Grottaferrata. Other sources say he died in 1085. Pope Leo IX (1049–54) may have lifted the ban on him. Another report is that he continued to seek support for a return but died in January 1055 or 1056.