[St. Pachomius Library]

Benedict V, Pope of Rome


X Century
Pope from May-June, 964, Benedict was a deacon known as Grammaticus because of his learning. He was elected after the assassination of John XII, but the emperor, Otto III, supported a rival candidate, Leo VIII. Otto had made Leo pope in 963 and deposed him a year later in favor of John. The emperor invaded Rome and called a synod at which Benedict admitted that he was an intruder and at which the papal staff was broken over his head. He was demoted to deacon and exiled to Hamburg, where he died c. 966. Otto moved Benedict's remains to Rome in 988.

Karen Rae Keck

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