Pope Gregory VI facts for kids

Pope Gregory VI, born Giovanni Graziano (also known as John Gratian), was an important leader of the Catholic Church. He was the Pope (the bishop of Rome) and also ruled the Papal States, which were lands controlled by the Pope. He served from May 1, 1045, until he stepped down (resigned) at a special meeting called the Council of Sutri on December 20, 1046. He passed away in 1048.

Becoming Pope Gregory VI

Giovanni Graziano was a respected church leader in Rome. He was known for being honest and having a good reputation. He was also the godfather of Pope Benedict IX. Benedict IX had become Pope when he was only twenty years old, mainly because his powerful family, the Theophylacti, wanted him in that position.

Benedict IX later wanted to get married and leave his role as Pope. He asked his godfather, Giovanni Graziano, if it was okay to resign. When he was told it was possible, Benedict IX offered to give up the papacy to Giovanni if Giovanni would pay him back for the money spent on his election. Giovanni Graziano wanted to help the Church get rid of an unworthy Pope. So, he paid the money and was then recognized as the new Pope. He took the name Gregory VI.

However, Gregory VI's new role did not bring peace right away. When Benedict IX left Rome after selling the papacy, another person was already claiming to be Pope. This was John, the bishop of Sabina, who had been called Pope Sylvester III by a group of nobles. They had forced Benedict IX out of Rome in 1044 and put Sylvester III in his place.

Even though Benedict IX soon returned and made Sylvester III leave, Sylvester never gave up his claim to be Pope. He still had some control over parts of Rome through his political friends. To make things even more complicated, Benedict IX couldn't marry the person he wanted. He soon regretted resigning and claimed to be Pope again, also gaining control over another part of the city. So, there were three people claiming to be Pope at the same time!

Challenges as Pope

Pope Gregory VI faced a very difficult situation. The Church's money was gone, and many of the clergy (church officials) were not acting righteously. Despite these huge problems, Gregory VI tried to bring order back to the Church and the city. He was helped by his chaplain, Hildebrand, who would later become a very famous Pope himself, Pope Gregory VII.

Gregory VI tried to fix religious problems through letters and church meetings (councils). He tried to fix civil problems by using force. But the groups supporting his rivals were too strong, and the confusion in Rome only grew worse.

Many important church leaders and people believed that only the German King could help. They asked King Henry III of Germany to come to Italy and restore order. Henry III agreed and came to Italy in the autumn of 1046. Gregory VI, believing he had done nothing wrong, went north to meet the King. Henry III welcomed him with respect. At the King's request, Gregory VI called for a special meeting (a council) to be held in a town called Sutri.

The Synod of Sutri

The Synod of Sutri began on December 20, 1046. Only Sylvester III and Gregory VI attended. The claims of Sylvester III and Benedict IX were quickly rejected. Sylvester III was ordered to live in a monastery for the rest of his life.

Gregory VI was accused of buying the papacy. He openly admitted that he had paid money. However, he argued that his actions were not wrong because he did it to remove an unworthy Pope. The bishops at the meeting told Gregory that buying a church office, even for good reasons, was still an improper act called simony. They asked him to resign. Seeing that he had little choice, Gregory VI willingly stepped down from his position.

After Gregory VI resigned, a German bishop named Suidger became the new Pope, taking the name Pope Clement II. In May 1047, King Henry III took Gregory to Germany. Gregory VI died in 1048, probably in the city of Cologne.

Hildebrand, Gregory VI's loyal chaplain, stayed with him until the end. Hildebrand later returned to Rome and became Pope in 1073. He chose the name Pope Gregory VII. He did this to show his strong belief that Giovanni Graziano had been a rightful Pope, Gregory VI.

See also

In Spanish: Gregorio VI para niños