Pope-elect Stephen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope-elect Stephen |
|
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Zachary |
| Successor | Stephen II (as Pope) Celestine II (as Pope-elect) |
| Orders | |
| Created Cardinal | 745 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rome |
| Died | 25 March 752 Rome |
| Previous post | Cardinal-priest of San Crisogono (745–752) |
| Other Popes named Stephen | |
Pope-elect Stephen was a Roman priest who was chosen to become the new Pope in March 752. He died on March 25, 752.
Stephen is called a "Pope-elect" because he passed away before he could be officially made Pope. In the past, a person had to be consecrated (a special religious ceremony) to become the official Pope. Because Stephen died before this ceremony, he is not considered a true Pope in the official list.
Becoming Pope-elect
In the year 745, Stephen became a cardinal-priest. This is a high-ranking position in the Catholic Church. He was chosen by Pope Zachary, who was the Pope at that time. Stephen's church was called San Crisogono in Rome.
Pope Zachary died in the middle of March 752. Just a few days later, on March 23, Stephen was chosen to be the next Pope. However, he died very soon after, from a stroke. This happened before he could be consecrated as the bishop of Rome, which is another name for the Pope.
Why He Is Not a Pope
At the time Stephen was chosen, the rules of the Catholic Church (called canon law) said that a Pope's time in office, or pontificate, began only after he was consecrated. Since Stephen died before this important ceremony, he never officially became Pope.
Later, the rules changed. New canon law said that a person became Pope the moment they accepted their election. Because of this new rule, some people later called Stephen "Pope Stephen II." However, this was looking back with new rules. In 1961, his name was officially removed from the list of Popes in the Annuario Pontificio, which is the official book listing all Popes.
See also
- List of 10 shortest-reigning popes
- Pope John XX
