POPE LEO VI

by | Jan 20, 2021 | Popes

Pope Leo VI ruled briefly during a time referred to as the saeculum obsurum. This time began in 904AD, with the coronation of Pope Sergius and continued until 964, with the death of Pope John XII. This was a time when the work of the popes was influenced by the...

POPE JOHN X, SUPPORTER OF REFORM

by | Jan 12, 2021 | Popes

Stories abound regarding John’s origins. Some say he was the son of Pope Sergius IV and his mistress, Marozia, daughter of Theophylact, the virtual ruler of Rome for many years. Others say he was the son of John, born in Tossignano, in Bologna. He seems to have been a...

THE HISTORY OF POPE LANDO

by | Dec 20, 2020 | Popes

As was all too common at the time, Pope Lando had another very short-lived papacy. His reign was from about September 913 to about March 914. The Liber claims he sat on the throne of Peter 4 months, 22 days. Gregory of Catino claims 6 months, 26 days and Flodoard of...

POPE SERGIUS III, THE FIRST OF THE THEOPHYLACT POPES

by | Nov 17, 2020 | Popes

Sergius was a young Roman, the son of Benedictus. And he had a taste for adventure. Ordained a subdeacon by Pope Marinus I (882-884) and a deacon by Pope Stephen V (885-891) he was consecrated bishop of Caere in 893 by the much-maligned Pope Formosus. He appeared to...