POPE #145, 147, and 150
Pope Benedict IX
The Only Man Counted Three Times in the Official Pontifical Sequence
Benedict IX
Pope Benedict IX is one of the most controversial figures in the history of the papacy. He is the only man universally recognized as having served three separate terms as pope, and his pontificate unfolded amid intense political struggles between rival Roman noble families.
Many medieval writers portray Benedict’s personal conduct in extremely negative terms. While some accounts likely contain exaggerations influenced by political hostility, there is broad historical agreement that his pontificate was marked by serious moral failings, instability, and repeated conflicts over the papal office.
“Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.”
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Quick Facts
Overview
Pope Benedict IX is one of the most controversial figures in the history of the papacy. He is the only man universally recognized as having served three separate terms as pope, and his pontificate unfolded amid intense political struggles between rival Roman noble families.
Many medieval writers portray Benedict’s personal conduct in extremely negative terms. While some accounts likely contain exaggerations influenced by political hostility, there is broad historical agreement that his pontificate was marked by serious moral failings, instability, and repeated conflicts over the papal office.
Perhaps the most famous event of his reign occurred in AD 1045, when he resigned the papacy in favor of his godfather, John Gratian, who became Pope Gregory VI. Medieval sources report that money changed hands in connection with the resignation. Gregory VI believed he was acting to end scandal and restore peace, though later reformers judged the transaction to be simoniacal.
The crisis surrounding Benedict IX ultimately led to the intervention of Emperor Henry III and set the stage for the sweeping reforms of the later eleventh century.
Early Life
Benedict IX was born around: AD 1012 as: Theophylact of Tusculum He belonged to the powerful: Counts of Tusculum His uncle was: Pope Benedict VIII His great-uncle was: Pope John XIX His family’s influence secured his election while he was still very young. Contemporary sources differ on his exact age, but many historians believe he was around twenty years old, while some medieval writers claimed he may have been even younger.
First Election
Following the death of: Pope John XIX Theophylact was elected pope in: October AD 1032 He became: Pope Benedict IX From the beginning, his pontificate was deeply entangled with Roman politics.
First Removal
In: AD 1044 a revolt led by rival Roman factions drove Benedict from Rome.
The rebels elected: Sylvester III who is regarded by the Catholic Church as an antipope.
Second Reign
Only months later, Benedict returned with military support, reclaimed Rome, and resumed the papacy in: April AD 1045
Resignation
Soon afterward, Benedict resigned.
His godfather, John Gratian was elected pope as: Gregory VI According to several contemporary sources, Gregory provided Benedict with money connected to the resignation. Gregory appears to have believed he was making a personal arrangement to remove an unworthy pope for the good of the Church, but reformers later judged the transaction to constitute simony.
Benedict’s resignation itself is generally accepted as valid and remains one of the earliest well-documented papal resignations.
Third Reign
After: Pope Clement II died in: AD 1047 Benedict returned again, reclaimed Rome, and began his: Third Pontificate His restoration was brief.
Henry III Intervenes
Holy Roman Emperor: Henry III marched into Italy, removed Benedict, and supported the election of: Pope Damasus II After this, Benedict disappeared from public life.
Some later traditions suggest he eventually repented and entered a monastery, though the evidence is uncertain.
Council of Sutri (AD 1046)
Although Benedict did not attend, his actions helped lead to the: Council of Sutri called by: Emperor Henry III The council addressed the competing papal claimants: Benedict IX, Gregory VI, Sylvester III.
The resulting reforms paved the way for the election of: Pope Clement II and later the Gregorian Reform.
Historical Context
Political Leaders Conrad II Holy Roman Emperor until AD 1039.
Henry III Holy Roman Emperor who restored order to the papacy.
The Church
During Benedict’s reign: three rival papal claimants existed at various times, the Council of Sutri reformed the papal succession, imperial influence over papal elections reached a peak, reform movements gained momentum.
Challenges
Political Violence Roman noble families repeatedly fought for control of the papacy.
Moral Scandal
Contemporary sources consistently describe Benedict’s pontificate as deeply troubled, though historians caution that some accusations were likely amplified by hostile writers.
Major Contributions
- One Hundred Forty-Fifth Pope of the Catholic Church
- Only pope to serve three separate pontificates
- One of the earliest popes to resign the papacy
- His tumultuous reign directly contributed to the reforms of the eleventh century
- His pontificate prompted the Council of Sutri and the eventual Gregorian Reform
Interesting Facts
- Benedict IX is the only pope to reign three separate times.
- His resignation in AD 1045 is one of the earliest unquestionably valid papal resignations.
- His reign led directly to the Council of Sutri.
- His pontificate accelerated the movement that became the Gregorian Reform.
- Some traditions claim he later repented and became a monk, but this remains uncertain.
Legacy
Pope Benedict IX’s pontificate stands as one of the clearest demonstrations that the holiness of the Church does not depend upon the personal virtue of every pope. His repeated elections, resignations, restorations, and involvement in political struggles exposed serious weaknesses in the administration of the medieval papacy. Yet this very crisis became the catalyst for profound reform.
The scandal surrounding his reign prompted the Council of Sutri, increased efforts to eliminate simony and political interference in papal elections, and prepared the way for reforming popes such as St. Leo IX, Nicholas II, and St. Gregory VII. Thus, while Benedict IX’s personal legacy is largely one of controversy, the Church’s response to his pontificate strengthened the integrity of the papacy for generations to come.
His story also illustrates an important Catholic truth: Christ’s promise to preserve His Church (Matthew 16:18) does not imply that every pope will be personally holy or prudent. Rather, the Church’s divine constitution enables her to endure and even emerge stronger from periods of profound human weakness.
Did You Know?
Pope Benedict IX is unique in history as the only man recognized by the Catholic Church to have served three separate pontificates. His turbulent reign so exposed the dangers of political interference, simony, and noble control over papal elections that it became a major catalyst for the Gregorian Reform, one of the greatest movements of ecclesiastical renewal in Church history.
Why Pope Benedict IX Matters
Pope Benedict IX’s extraordinary and deeply troubled pontificate became the catalyst for one of the greatest reform movements in Church history. His reign exposed the destructive effects of simony, political interference, and aristocratic domination of the papacy, leading directly to reforms that restored the moral and spiritual integrity of the Apostolic See. His life reminds Catholics that even moments of profound institutional crisis can become occasions for renewal through God’s providence.
CatholicG33k Historical Highlight
The Pope Whose Turbulent Reign Sparked a Great Reform
No pope has had a more unusual career than Benedict IX, the only man to occupy the Chair of St. Peter on three separate occasions. His reign was marked by political conflict, disputed successions, resignation, and restoration, culminating in the Council of Sutri (AD 1046). While Benedict himself remains one of history’s most controversial popes, the crisis surrounding his pontificate prompted a determined movement to free the Church from corruption and political manipulation. Those reforms would soon bear fruit under St. Leo IX, Nicholas II, and St. Gregory VII, transforming the medieval papacy and strengthening the Church for centuries to come.
Sources and Further Study
Scripture References
- Psalm 50 (51):10-12
- Matthew 16:18-19
- John 21:15-17
- Romans 8:28
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
- 1 Peter 5:2-4
- James 3:1
Primary Historical Sources
- Sacred Scripture (Douay-Rheims Bible)
- Liber Pontificalis
- St. Peter Damian, Liber Gomorrhianus (for the reforming context)
- Bonizo of Sutri, Liber ad Amicum
- Rodulfus Glaber, Histories
- Acts of the Council of Sutri (AD 1046)
- Early medieval papal catalogues
Timeline
Born as Theophylact
First elected Pope
Driven from Rome
Restored to the papacy
Resigns; Gregory VI elected
Council of Sutri
Third restoration
Finally removed
Dies (date unknown)