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 (died 25 March 752) was a Roman priest selected in March 752 to succeed Pope Zachary. Because he died before he was consecrated, he is considered only a pope-elect rather than a legitimate pope.
Election to the Papacy
In 745, Stephen was made a cardinal-priest by Pope Zachary. His titular church was San Crisogono. Zachary died in mid-March 752. On 23 March, Stephen was selected to become the new pope. He died of a stroke only days later, before being consecrated as bishop of Rome.
According to the canon law of the time, a pope's pontificate started upon his consecration. Later canon law considered that a man became pope the moment he accepted his election, and Pope-elect Stephen was then anachronistically called Pope Stephen II. His name was removed from the list of popes in the Annuario Pontificio in 1961.
See also
- List of 10 shortest-reigning popes
- Pope John XX
