POPES
by Deb McCoy | May 1, 2021 | Popes
Lateran basilica, where Pope John XIII grew up and served If you have been following this series, you will remember that Theophylact, virtual controller of Rome, and his wife, Theodora, were able to run the politics of the Catholic Church from the beginning of the...
by Deb McCoy | Apr 22, 2021 | Popes
Pope Leo VIII is seen as both an antipope and a pope. Let me explain…. Born in Rome, around 915, Leo was the son of a well-known noble family. His father was the protonotary, or the palace notary for the papal chancery, a layman. Leo followed in his father’s...
by Deb McCoy | Mar 15, 2021 | Popes
Considered one of the worst of the popes , Octavian, son of Alberic II of Spoleto, was the spoiled child of the Dark Ages. He was born some time between 930 and 937 in the neighborhood of Via Lata. Being an only surviving son, the father, Alberic wanted the best for...
by Deb McCoy | Mar 4, 2021 | Popes
Born around 905, Agapetus was one of the longest reigning popes, ruling nine and one-half years. Son of a Roman father and a Greek mother, he lived his life mostly in Rome. By the time he was forty, he had become cardinal deacon. At some point, he attracted the...
by Deb McCoy | Feb 21, 2021 | Popes
Marinus was born around 900 AD, in the city where he spent his life, Rome. He became the cardinal priest of San Ciriaco alle Terme probably in his late 30s. Shortly after the death of Pope Stephen VIII, Marinus was elevated to the papacy on 30 October, 942. He was...
by Deb McCoy | Feb 2, 2021 | Popes
The numbering of the Popes Stephen is a continuing problem, depending on whether you accept the anti-pope in this number. This particular Pope Stephen was named Stephanus de Gabrielli. His date of birth is not known, but assumed to be some time in the second half of...
