|
||
Name:
Benedict V
Preceded by: Leo VIII (963 - 964)
Succeeded by: John XIII (965 - 972)
Roman Catholic Pope #133
Dates:
Born: ? (Rome, Italy)
Died: July 4, 964
Pope: May 22 - July 4, 964 (1 month)
Biography:
Benedict V was elected pope in very unusual circumstances. Emperor Otto I had deposed
Pope John XII after having found him to be unworthy and forcibly installed Leo VII as his
successor. The people of Rome, however, did not like this new pope and expelled him
from the city as soon as they were able.
The continued to regard John XII as the proper pope and, after he died, they elected the Cardinal-Deacon Benedict as the new pope, Benedict V. Otto was furious that the Romans had elected someone in place of his chosen pope, so he marched on Rome, reinstated Leo VII, and took Benedict V back to Germany with him. He died in Germany and his remains were eventually taken back to Rome.
Because of the confusion over succession, it is not entirely clear who qualifies as a valid pope and who is an antipope. If Otto's elimination of John XII was valid, then Leo VII was pope and Benedict V was the antipope. However, if the elimination was not valid, then Leo was an antipope and the popularly acclaimed Benedict was the real pope.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
-->Popes and the Papacy: History, Doctrines, News About Popes
The pope may be the most visible and famous symbol of the Catholic Church. It is the office of the papacy and the assumed link back to the original apostles that differentiates Roman Catholicism from other Christian denominations. The office of the papacy is rather complicated and, much to the chagrin of believers, comes with a rather checkered past.Pope John Paul II: Biography, History, and Policies
John Paul II has been one of the longest-lived and most influential popes in the history of the Catholic Church. For good or for ill, his policies and personality have helped shape not only the current character of Catholicism but also the direction Catholicism will take for generations to come. Because of that, it's important to take the time to carefully consider what his policies have been and how they have affected Catholics around the world.Electing the Next Pope: Index of Resources on Papal Elections
Every human is mortal, and that includes popes. Some live and reign for extraordinarily long times while others only serve for a few days, but in the end all die and a new pope must be elected. How are papal elections run? A papal election is a process that is shrouded in secrecy; the details of any one election are supposed to be kept hidden, but general information is known.Book Reviews: Roman Catholic Popes, Papacy, History
Who or what is the pope? The title pope stems from the Greek word papas, which simply means "father." Early in Christian history it was used as a formal title expressing affectionate respect for any bishop and sometimes even priests. Today it continues to be used in Eastern Orthodox churches for the patriarch of Alexandria.
