Psst...we'll send a two-fer every so often, to make sure that we get through all the popes by Christmas, and because some don't have much info available. Enjoy!
Pope from June 928 - February 929
Died: February 929
Give me the scoop on Leo VI.
Leo was Roman by birth and was the son of Pope John VIII’s prime minister, Christopher. Little is known about his life and papacy for certain. Leo was placed in office by Marouzia, the Roman noblewoman basically running the city, after John X’s death. He reigned only seven months, dying in February 929 and being buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.
What was he known for?
Leo’s chief accomplishment was finishing the organization of the Church in Dalmatia, started previously by John X. A papal bull from Leo VI still exists, mentioning him giving the pallium to John, Bishop of Salona, and ordering all other bishops in the region to obey their archbishop. Leo also advised several bishops to work only within the confines of their dioceses, and put out a plea for help to help protect the Church from Muslim invasions, writing, “Whoever died faithful in this struggle will not see himself refused entry into the heavenly kingdom.”
Fun Fact...
The historian Flodoard wrote about Leo VI, saying, “Through the virtue of Peter, Leo the Sixth was taken and received, he was preserved for seven months and five days, and like his predecessors, he joined the company of the prophets.”
Pope from February 929 - March 15, 931
Died: March 15, 931
Give me the scoop on Stephen VIII.
Stephen was a Roman, son of a man named Teudemund. Prior to his papacy, he was cardinal-priest of the Church of St. Anastasia in Rome. Elected sometime in February 929, Stephen VIII reigned for over two years, but nearly nothing is known about his pontificate.
What was he known for?
Stephen was perhaps best known as being a stop-gap choice of Marouzia, who was Rome’s head honcho at the time. She’s said to have handpicked Stephen, like she did Leo VI before him, while presumably making way for her son, John XI, to become the next successor of Peter. They couldn't write it any better in the movies.
Fun Fact...
Though it might’ve been nothing more than a papal burn by a hostile writer, Stephen VIII is supposedly the first pontiff to have been clean-shaven while in office. If that were the case – and we hope it isn't – the artist's rendering here would then be inaccurate.
What else was going on in the world at the time?
In 930, Iceland was first organized as a nation with the founding of the Althing, the country’s parliament.
Coming tomorrow....Pope John XI