Pope Benedict VII

Benedict VII
Papacy began	October 974
Papacy ended	10 July 983
Predecessor	Benedict VI
Successor	John XIV
Personal details
Birth name	???
Born	??? Rome, Papal States
Died	10 July 983(983-07-10) Rome, Papal States, Holy Roman Empire
Other popes named Benedict

Benedict VII (Latin: Benedictus PP. VII, Italian: Benedetto VII; died 10 July 983) was born in Rome, the son of David or Deodatus (brother of Alberic II of Spoleto). Before his election to the papacy, he had previously served as Bishop of Sutri. He belonged to the noble family of the Counts of Tusculum. He was elected by the Roman clergy and people in October 974 under the influence of Sicco, imperial envoy of Emperor Otto II. He governed Rome quietly for nearly nine years, a somewhat rare thing in those days. Benedict VII's date of birth is not known with certainty, but it is known that he was related to Prince Alberic II and connected to the Crescenti family. He succeeded to the papacy as a compromise candidate to replace antipope Boniface VII (974, 984–985). Boniface VII was excommunicated and unsuccessfully attempted to retake the papacy.

Benedict VII promoted monasticism and ecclesiastical reform along with Emperor Otto II. He also consecrated the priest James, who had been sent to him by the people of Carthage "to help the wretched province of Africa." Benedict VII visited the city of Orvieto with his nephew Filippo Alberici, who later settled there and became Consul of the city state in 1016. The Alberici family live there to this day. In March 981, Benedict presided over a synod in St Peter's that prohibited simony. In September 981, he convened a Lateran Synod.

References

• 9th edition (1880s) of the Encyclopædia Britannica

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Benedict VI	Pope 974–983	Succeeded by John XIV