Pope Benedict IX

Pope of the Roman Catholic Church

Pope Benedict IX (Latin: Benedictus Nonus; c. 1012–1056), born Teofilatto or Theophylactus of Tusculum, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 145th Pope from 1032 to 1045.[1] He is listed as the 147th Pope in 1045.[1] Also, he was the 150th Pope in 1047-1048.[1]

Benedict IX
Papacy beganOctober 1032 (first term)
Papacy endedJuly 1048 (third term)
PredecessorPope John XIX
Pope Sylvester III
Pope Clement II
SuccessorPope Sylvester III
Pope Gregory VI
Pope Damasus II
Personal details
Birth nameTeofilatto or Theophylactus
Bornc. 1012
DiedJanuary 1056
Papal States
Other popes named Benedict

Early life

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Teofilatto was born in Rome c. 1012. He was the son of Alberic III[2] of the noble Tusculum family.[3]

He was the nephew of both Pope Benedict VIII and Pope John XIX.[4]

Cardinal

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John XIX raised Teofilatto to the rank of a cardinal; but the date is unknown.

In 1032, Alberic III used his money and influence to make his son the pope. This was called simony.[5] Pope Benedict chose his name in honor of his uncle, Benedict VIII.[6]

Benedict is usually recognized as having had three terms or reigns as pope

First term

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Benedict's first period as pope lasted from 1032 to 1044 when a revolt in Rome forced Benedict out of the city;[7] and an antipope was elected with the name of Sylvester III.[8]

Second term

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Benedict's second period as pope lasted from his return six months later to 1045 when he sold his title to John Gratianus,[7] who was then made pope with the name of Gregory VI.[9] Benedict abdicated or resigned.[10]

In 1046, there were three men with the title of pope. The problem was solved by electing a new pope with the name of Pope Clement II,[11] who died a short time later.

Third term

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When the death of Clement II in 1047, Benedict IX tried to claim the papacy again, but was driven out of Rome by German troops. The timely election of Pope Damasus II became unimportant when he died 23 days later.[7]

After 1048, Benedict's importance faded;[12] and Pope Leo IX was elected in 1049.[7]

After his death

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Benedict IX was buried in the Abbey of Grottaferrata c. 1056.

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References

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The Coat of Arms of Benedict IX[13]
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "List of Popes," Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-3.
  2. Williams, George L. (2004). Papal Genealogy: The Families and Descendants of the Popes. McFarland. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-7864-2071-1.
  3. The Tusculum family are also known as the Tuscolani
  4. "Pope Benedict IX", Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2011-11-3.
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General Literature. R.S. Peale. 1891. p. 558.
  6. Room, Adrian (2012). Dictionary of Pseudonyms: 13,000 Assumed Names and Their Origins, 5th ed. McFarland. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-7864-5763-2.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The Penny Cyclopædia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. C. Knight. 1835. p. 214.
  8. "Antipope" (Sylvester III), Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-02.
  9. "Pope Gregory VI", Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-02.
  10. "Abdication," Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2013-2-11.
  11. "Pope Clement II", Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-02.
  12. "Pope Damasus II", Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-02.
  13. Stemmi Papali, Benedetto IX (in Italian); retrieved 2011-11-3

Other websites

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  Media related to Benedictus IX at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
John XIX
Pope
1032–1044
Succeeded by
Sylvester III
Preceded by
Sylvester III
Pope
1045
Succeeded by
Gregory VI
Preceded by
Clement II
Pope
1047–1048
Succeeded by
Damasus II