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Name:
Pope Pius VII
Born: Luigi Barnaba Chiaramonte
Preceded by: Pius VI (1775 - 1799)
Succeeded by: Leo XII (1823 - 1829)
Roman Catholic Pope #252
Dates:
Born: April 14, 1742 (Italy)
Died: July 20, 1823
Pope: March 14, 1800 - July 20, 1823 (23 years)
Biography:
The first new pope of the 19th century, Pius VII had a long reign for someone who
wasn't really the first choice of any of those who elected him. Pius was a compromise
candidate, chosen to break a stalemate among cardinals who were divided into
nationalistic factions.
A Benedictine monk, Pius was one of the few popes who had to endure imprisonment at the hands of a secular leader who sought greater control over the Church; in this case it was Napolean who held Pius captive at Savona, near Genoa. Napolean was a Catholic, but he kept his personal faith separate from his political goals and he realized that control over the Church meant greater control over society.
After Napolean had the Papal States occupied, Pius excommunicated him. Napolean responded by having the pope imprisoned until 1814 when he first fell from power. After his release, Pius reinstated both the Inquisition and the Index of Prohibited Books, brought back the Jesuits, and condemned the Protestant Bible Societies, making him the first modern pope to expressing condemn and fight against modern developments in politics, religion and philosophy.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
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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.
