151
- DAMASUS II Born in Bavaria, he was elected on the 17th
July 1048 and died on the 9th August 1048. At the request of the Emperor
Henry III of Germany he took the place of Benedict IX, after Aliard Bishop
of Lyons, had declined the tiara. He retired to Palestrina where he died. (more
detail)
152
- ST. LEO IX Born in Lorraine, he was elected on the 12th
March 1049 and died on the 18th April 1057. He was freely elected by the
clergy and people of Rome. When he arrived at Rome he wished to enter bare-looted
as a sign of humility. He excommunicated Michael Cerularius who was responsible
for the schism of the Greek Church from the Latin. (more
detail)
153
- VICTOR II Born in Baveria, he was elected on the 16th
April 1055 and died on the 28th June 1057. His election came after a vacancy
of one year. He received the abjuration of Berenganus and blessed Henry
III on his deathed. Following the standard set by his predecessor he succeeded
in making the Church properous. (more
detail)
154
- STEPHEN IX Born in Lorraine. he was elected on the 3rd
August 1057 and died on the 29th March 1058. As soon as he was elected
he tried to raise the moral standards of the clergy. He surrounded himself
with learned and renowned counsellors who assisted him in all political
matters. He forbade matrimony between bloodrelations. (more
detail)
155
- NICHOLAS II Born in Borgogna, he was elected on the 24th
January 1059 and died on the 27th July 1061. He called a synod at Rome
which forbade the investiture of bishops without papal authorization. It
was also decided that the election of the pope should be reserved to cardinal-bishops
and cardihalpriests. (more
detail)
156
- ALEXANDER II Born in Milan, he was elected on the 1st October
1061 and died on the 21st April 1073. He interested himself more in religion
than in politics, and did not hesitate to intervene in the reform of the
clergy in France. Since he was not recognised by the German court, Henry
IV supported Honorins II in opposition to him, thereby bhnging about tumults. (more
detail)
157
- St. GREGORY VII Born in Tuscany, he was elected on the 22nd
April 1073 and died on the 25th May 1085. A Council called by him issued
a "Dictatus Papac": only the pope is universal; no one can judge him; he
alone can dispense from a vow. Henry IV, who had been excommunicated, made
his way to Canossa and, wearing only a rough habit, to receive pardon. (more
detail)
158
- Blessed VICTOR III Born at Montecassino he was elected on the
24th May 1086 and died on the 16th September 1087. Four days after his
election he fled to Montecassino. Being proclaimed a second time, he was
brought to Rome by force and consecrated. He excommunicated the Antipope
Clement III and took up residence on the fortified Tiber island. (more
detail)
159
- Blessed URBAN II Born in France he was elected on the 12th
March 1088 and died on the 29th July 1099. The conclave had to be held
at Velletri b