Pope Stephen VII (Latin: Stephanus VII; died 15 March 931)[1] was the bishop of Rome and nominal ruler of the Papal States from February 929 to his death in 931. A candidate of the infamous Marozia, his pontificate occurred during the period known as the Saeculum obscurum.
Stephen VII | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | February 929 |
| Papacy ended | 15 March 931 |
| Predecessor | Leo VI |
| Successor | John XI |
| Previous post(s) | Cardinal-Priest of Sant'Anastasia (928-929) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Stephanus de Gabrielli |
| Died | c. 15 March 931 Rome, Papal States |
| Other popes named Stephen | |
Election
editStephen was a Roman[2] by birth, the son of Germanic (Goth) Theodemundus/Theudemund.[3] He was the cardinal-priest of St Anastasia in Rome. He was probably handpicked by Marozia, the true ruler of Rome during the Saeculum obscurum, to become pope as a stop-gap measure until her own son John was ready to assume the role.[3]
Pontificate
editVery little is known about Stephen's pontificate. During his two years as pope, Stephen confirmed the privileges of a few religious houses in France and Italy.[3] As a reward for helping free Stephen from the oppression of Hugh of Arles, Stephen granted Cante di Gabrielli the position of papal governor of Gubbio, and control over a number of key fortresses.[4] Stephen was also noted for the severity with which he treated clergy who strayed in their morals.[5] He was also, apparently, according to a hostile Greek source from the twelfth century, the first pope who went around clean shaved whilst pope.[6]
Stephen died around 15 March 931, and was succeeded by Marozia's son John XI.
References
edit- ^ Archibald Bower, The History of the Popes: from the foundation of the See of Rome to A.D. 1758 (1845), pg. 311
- ^ Platina, Bartolomeo (1479), The Lives of the Popes From The Time Of Our Saviour Jesus Christ to the Accession of Gregory VII, vol. I, London: Griffith Farran & Co., pp. 247–248, retrieved 2013-04-25
- ^ a b c Mann, pg. 189
- ^ Collegio araldico, Rivista, Volume 5 (1907), pg. 49
- ^ DeCormenin, Louis Marie; Gihon, James L., A Complete History of the Popes of Rome, from Saint Peter, the First Bishop to Pius the Ninth (1857), pg. 287
- ^ Mann, pg. 190
- Mann, Horace K., The Lives of the Popes in the Early Middle Ages, Vol. IV: The Popes in the Days of Feudal Anarchy, 891-999 (1910)
- Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.