Pope Benedict IX

Pope Benedict IX (; c. 1012–1056), born Teofilatto or Theophylactus of Tusculum, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 145th Pope from 1032 to 1045. "List of Popes,"  Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-3.  He is listed as the 147th Pope in 1045.  Also, he was the 150th Pope in 1047-1048. He was most likely 12 years old when he became pope the first time.

Early life
Teofilatto was born in Rome c. 1012. He was the son of Alberic III of the noble Tusculum family.The Tusculum family are also known as the Tuscolani

He was the nephew of both Pope Benedict VIII and Pope John XIX."Pope Benedict IX", Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2011-11-3.

Cardinal
John XIX raised Teofilatto to the rank of a cardinal; but the date is unknown.

Pope
In 1032, Alberic III used his money and influence to make his son the pope. This was called simony.  Pope Benedict chose his name in honor of his uncle, Benedict VIII.

Benedict is usually recognized as having had three terms or reigns as pope

First term
Benedict's first period as pope lasted from 1032 to 1044 when a revolt in Rome forced Benedict out of the city; and an antipope was elected with the name of Sylvester III. "Antipope" (Sylvester III),  Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-02.

Second term
Benedict's second period as pope lasted from his return six months later to 1045 when he sold his title to John Gratianus, who was then made pope with the name of Gregory VI. "Pope Gregory VI",  Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-02.  Benedict abdicated or resigned. "Abdication," Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2013-2-11.

In 1046, there were three men with the title of pope.  The problem was solved by electing a new pope with the name of Pope Clement II, "Pope Clement II",  Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-02. who died a short time later.

Third term
When the death of Clement II in 1047, Benedict IX tried to claim the papacy again, but was driven out of Rome by German troops.  The timely election of Pope Damasus II became unimportant when he died 23 days later.

After 1048, Benedict's importance faded; "Pope Damasus II",  Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-02. and Pope Leo IX was elected in 1049.

After his death
Benedict IX was buried in the Abbey of Grottaferrata c. 1056.

Related pages
 List of popes
 List of popes from the Tusculum family
 List of ages of popes
 Abdication

References

Other websites


  Catholic Hierarchy, Popes in sequence
  Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church , Cardinal Teofillato 

Category:Italian popes
Category:1012 births
Category:1056 deaths