Wicked Popes

      Pope Benedict IX
      (1032and1048)

            His father Alberic III, count of Tusculum obtained the Papal chair granting
      it to Pope Benedict IX in October 1032. Pope Benedict was 18 to 20 years old.
      September, 1044 the Emperor Conrad II forced out Pope Benedict for,
      "Feasting on immorality." John, Bishop of Sabina was declared Pope Sylvester III.
      Pope Benedict rallied his forces and in April 1045 expelled his rival.
      However, Pope Sylvester III kept his claim to the Papal seed.

            In May 1045, Pope Benedict resigned his office to marry, selling his
      office to his godfather a Priest John Grathian, who named himself Pope Gregory VI.
      Benedict regretted his resignation and reclaimed his Papacy on July 1046.
      However, Pope Gregory VI continued to hold his claim to the Papal seed at the
      same time Pope Sylvester III also claimed to be the true Apostolic Pope.

          German king Henry III(1039-1056) intervened and at the Council of Sutri,
      December 1046 Pope Benedict IX and his godfather Pope Gregory VI and
      Pope Sylvester III were deposed. A German Bishop Suidger was crowned
      Pope Clement III. Benedict IX refused to attend the council. When Clement III
      died in October 1047(suspected poisoning). Benedict seized the Vatican, but
      was driven off by German troops in July 1048.

            Bishop Poppo of Brixen was elected Pope Damasus II. Benedict IX
      refused to appear on charges of selling the Papacy and was excommunicated.
      Pope Leo IX(1049-1054) lifted the ban on Benedict IX and the deposed Pope
      was buried in the Abby of Grottaferrata(1056).

          Pope Victor III condemned Benedict IX, "for rape, murder and beastaility."

      The Vatican continues to recognize Pope Benedict's Papacy.
      The Vatican Council teaches as an article of faith the Pope is the legitimate
      successor of Saint Peter: "If any one says that the Roman Pontiff is not the
      successor of Saint Peter, let him be anathema."

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