(Redirected from Leon VII)
'Leo VII' (died
July 13,
939),
Pope from
January 3,
936 until his death in 939, was preceded by
Pope John XI (931–935), and followed by
Pope Stephen VIII (939–942).
[1] Leo VII's election to the papacy was secured by
Alberic II of Spoleto, the monarch in
Rome. Alberic wanted to choose the pope so that the papacy would continue to yield to his authority. Leo was the priest of St. Sixtus in Rome, thought to be a
Benedictine monk. He had little ambition towards the papacy, but consented under pressure.
As pope, Leo VII reigned for only three years. Most of his
bulls were grants of privilege to monasteries, especially including the
Abbey of Cluny.
[2] Leo called for
Odo of Cluny to mediate between Alberic and
Hugh of Italy, Alberic's stepfather, the
King of Italy. Odo was successful in negotiating a truce after arranging a marriage between Hugh's daughter Alda and Alberic. Leo VII also appointed
Frederick, Archbishop of Mainz as a reformer in Germany. Leo allowed Frederick to drive out
Jews that refused to be baptized, but he did not endorse the forced baptism of Jews.
[3]
After his death in July of 939, Leo VII was interred at
St. Peter's Basilica.
References
1. 9th edition (1880s) of the Encyclopædia Britannica
2. "Pope Leo VII" from New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
3. ''Popes Through The Ages'' by Joseph Brusher S. J.