Catholic Pope. Son of count of Tusculum Alberich III, nephew of Pope Benedict VIII and Pope John XIX. Rumored to have been 12 years old at the time he became pope, (His precise date of birth is uncertain) he was probably in his late 20's when his family's position and money put him on the papal throne in 1032. Notoriously corrupt, in 1044 he was driven from the throne as unfit to rule by a Roman faction. He returned in 1045, removing antipope, John of Sabina. Soon after, he abdicated in favor of Gregory VI. He later changed his mind and tried to return to power. According to one report, Benedict retired to the abbey of Grottaferrata, resigned all claim to the papacy, and spent his last years as a penitent.
Catholic Pope. Son of count of Tusculum Alberich III, nephew of Pope Benedict VIII and Pope John XIX. Rumored to have been 12 years old at the time he became pope, (His precise date of birth is uncertain) he was probably in his late 20's when his family's position and money put him on the papal throne in 1032. Notoriously corrupt, in 1044 he was driven from the throne as unfit to rule by a Roman faction. He returned in 1045, removing antipope, John of Sabina. Soon after, he abdicated in favor of Gregory VI. He later changed his mind and tried to return to power. According to one report, Benedict retired to the abbey of Grottaferrata, resigned all claim to the papacy, and spent his last years as a penitent.
Bio by: MC
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