POPE JOHN IX–HOLDING IT ALL TOGETHER

by | Sep 22, 2020 | Popes

Pope John IX was the first pope in a while to last a whole year. He lasted almost two. Born in Tivoli, 30 km from Rome, the son of Rampoaldo, John was born around 840 AD. Little is heard of him until he became a Benedictine monk, then was ordained a priest by Pope...

POPES ROMANUS AND THEODORE

by | Sep 5, 2020 | Popes

The 9th century had turned into a disaster for the Church, and Italy. Not only were the Saracens attacking southern Italy and Sicily, cities were becoming independent and thinking for themselves. Popes were chased out, pushed out or killed in rapid succession. One...

POPE ST. BENEDICT III–DEALING WITH CONTENTION

by | Aug 9, 2020 | Popes, Saints

Benedict, son of Peter, was born in Rome, sometime between 790 and 810 AD. He was a well-educated man, known for his learning and piety. Before Pope Leo IV died, he had raised Benedict to the level of cardinal-priest, assigning him to the church of San Callisto. On...

POPE ST. ADRIAN III–ANOTHER ASSASSINATION?

by | Jul 7, 2020 | Popes, Saints

Pope Adrian III was a controversial, short-lived pope. He was born in Rome, probably around 834. This would have set him up to be a child during the attacks of the Saracens on Rome and its environs in 846. Nothing is known of the early life of Adrian. He was elected...

POPE MARINUS I

by | Jul 2, 2020 | Popes

Pope Marinus I, mistakenly referred to as Pope Martinus II, had a short, but controversial papacy. The man, Marinus, must have been an intellectual of some repute, considering the responsibilities and assignments he was given. Born in Gallese, in the province of...