Pope Benedict VIII


Benedict VIII
Bishop of Rome
ChurchCatholic Church
Papacy began18 May 1012
Papacy ended9 April 1024
PredecessorSergius IV
SuccessorJohn XIX
Personal details
Born
Theophylactus

c. 980
Rome, Papal States
Died(1024-04-09)9 April 1024
Rome, Papal States
Other popes named Benedict
Text from a bull of Benedict VIII

Pope Benedict VIII (Latin: Benedictus VIII; c. 980[1] – 9 April 1024[2]) was bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 18 May 1012 until his death. He was born Theophylact to the noble family of the counts of Tusculum. Unusually for a medieval pope, he had strong authority both in Rome and abroad.

Theophylact was born to Count Gregory I of Tusculum. The family had already produced three popes: John XI (r. 931–935), and John XII (r. 955–964), and Benedict VII (r. 973–974). Theophylact became pope on 18 May 1012 and took the name Benedict VIII.[2]

  1. ^ "Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church".
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Mann was invoked but never defined (see the help page).