Pope Benedict: Was He a Demon from Hell?

The man who was referred to as "a demon from hell in the disguise of a priest", was actually Pope Benedict IX (c. 1012 – c. 1056). He was named Theophylactus of Tusculum at birth and he had some powerful relations, as he was the son of Alberic III and nephews to Count of Tusculum, Pope Benedict VIII and Pope John XIX. Benedict was also the great-grandson of Marozia, a female Roman politician, who was said to be the mistress of Pope Sergius III.

Benedict IX did not come to the papal chair honestly, as his father secured the position for him.

Sources differ as to the age of Benedict IX when he became pope. Some say age 11 or 12 and others 18-20. However, what seems evident, is that this pope was as debauched and corrupt as they come.

For a start, Bishop Benno of Piacenza accused Benedict IX of "many vile adulteries and murders". Pope Victor III, in his third book of Dialogues referred to "his rapes, murders and other unspeakable acts. His life as a pope was so vile, so foul, so execrable, that I shudder to think of it". And in his Liber Gomorrhianus, Saint Peter Damian accused Benedict IX of routine sodomy and bestiality and sponsoring orgies.

Benedict IX was, however, the pope three times; the first time lasting from his election to his expulsion in favour of Sylvester III (October 1032 – September 1044). The second time, from his return to his selling the papacy to Gregory VI (April – May 1045) . And the third, from his return after the death of Clement II to the advent of Damasus II (November 1047 – July 1048).

This king among men, not only sold the job of being pope (because he wanted to marry) to John Gratian, his godfather, who became Pope Gregory VI, but when Benedict's marriage fell through, he wanted his old job back. He kept the money from the sale, though.

Benedict may have wanted his old job back, but Gregory VI also wanted the job and there was another contender too, Sylvester III, who had become pope when Benedict was thrown out of the job (confused!).

With three contending for the job of pope, King Henry III of Germany invaded Rome and installed a German bishop, Pope Clement II. Benedict, however, was suspected of poisoning Clement when he died after serving 11 months in the job of pope. Benedict, then, became pope again for the third time.

Of course, this is a mere outline of a despicable, yet colourful character.


 Books To Read

Dark History: Catholic Church: Schisms, Wars, Inquisitions, Witch Hunts, Scandals, Corruption (A Dark History Series) by Michael Kerrigan