Pope Gregory VII facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pope Saint Gregory VII
Bishop of Rome
Church	Catholic Church
Papacy began	22 April 1073
Papacy ended	25 May 1085
Predecessor	Alexander II
Successor	Victor III
Orders
Ordination	22 May 1073
Consecration	30 June 1073
Created Cardinal	6 March 1058
Personal details
Birth name	Ildebrando di Soana
Born	c. 1015 Sovana, Tuscany, Holy Roman Empire
Died	25 May 1085 (aged 69–70) Salerno, Duchy of Apulia
Previous post	Archdeacon of the Roman church
Sainthood
Feast day	25 May
Venerated in	Catholic Church
Beatified	25 May 1584 Rome, Papal States by Pope Gregory XIII
Canonized	24 May 1728 Rome, Papal States by Pope Benedict XIII
Attributes	Papal vestments Papal tiara
Patronage	Diocese of Sovana
Other Popes named Gregory

Pope Gregory VII (born Hildebrand of Sovana) led the Catholic Church and ruled the Papal States from 1073 until his death in 1085. He is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church.

He was a key figure among the "reforming popes." Gregory VII is famous for his part in the Investiture Controversy. This was a big argument with Emperor Henry IV. Gregory fought to show that the Pope's power was supreme. He also helped create new church laws for electing the Pope.

Before becoming Pope, he worked to improve the relationship between the emperor and the papacy. Gregory was also the first Pope in centuries to strictly enforce celibacy for priests. This meant priests could not marry. He also spoke out against simony, which was the buying or selling of church positions.

Gregory VII excommunicated Emperor Henry IV three times. This meant Henry was cut off from the Church. In response, Henry IV appointed his own Pope, Antipope Clement III. This led to a power struggle between the Church and the Empire. Gregory VII was seen as a great Pope after his reforms succeeded. However, some people disliked him during his rule. They thought he used too much papal power.

Early Life and Church Career

Gregory was born as Ildebrando di Sovana around 1015. His birthplace was Sovana in southern Tuscany, Italy. Some historians say his father was a blacksmith. As a young boy, he went to study in Rome. He studied at the monastery of St. Mary on the Aventine Hill. His uncle might have been the abbot there.

His teachers included Lawrence, the archbishop of Amalfi. Another teacher was Johannes Gratianus, who later became Pope Gregory VI. When Emperor Henry III removed Gregory VI from power, Hildebrand followed him to Cologne, Germany.

After Gregory VI died in 1048, Hildebrand went to Cluny. He then joined Pope Leo IX on his journey to Rome. Leo IX made Hildebrand a deacon and a papal administrator. In 1054, Leo sent Hildebrand to Tours, France. He was a papal representative there.

After Leo's death, Pope Victor II kept Hildebrand as a legate. Later, Pope Stephen IX sent him to Germany. His mission was to get recognition from Empress Agnes. Stephen died before returning to Rome. But Hildebrand succeeded in his mission. He helped solve a crisis when the Roman nobles elected an antipope, Benedict X. Thanks to Agnes's help, Benedict X was replaced by Pope Nicholas II.

Hildebrand helped lead the capture of Benedict X's castle. Between 1058 and 1059, he became the archdeacon of the Roman church. This made him the most important person in the Pope's administration. He was also a key figure in the election of Pope Alexander II in 1061. The new Pope followed Hildebrand's reform plans.

As a papal advisor, Hildebrand played a big role in several areas. He helped make peace with the Normans in southern Italy. He also formed an alliance against Germany with the Pataria movement in northern Italy. Most importantly, he helped create a law. This law gave cardinals the only right to elect a new Pope.

Becoming Pope

Gregory VII was one of the few Popes chosen by acclamation. This means he was chosen by a loud public vote. When Pope Alexander II died on April 21, 1073, people shouted. They cried, "Let Hildebrand be pope!" and "Blessed Peter has chosen Hildebrand!"

Hildebrand tried to hide. He wanted to show he refused this unusual election. But he was found at the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli. There, the cardinals elected him Pope. The Roman clergy agreed, and the people cheered.

Some people debated if this was a truly spontaneous event. Others wondered if it was planned. His opponents criticized how he was elected. They said it broke several rules. For example, a papal election was not supposed to start until three days after the Pope's burial. Also, only cardinal bishops were supposed to name candidates. And the Holy Roman Emperor was supposed to be consulted.

However, the people's strong support helped make his election valid. On May 22, 1073, he became a priest. On June 29, he was made a bishop and officially became Pope.

Those who chose him praised Gregory VII. They called him "a devout man" and "a distinguished lover of equity and justice." They said he was "firm in adversity and temperate in prosperity." They also noted he was "raised to the archidiaconal dignity" because of his good life. They announced to the people, "We choose then our Archdeacon Hildebrand to be pope." They said he would be known as Gregory.

Gregory VII's first actions as Pope involved the Normans. He tried to make peace with Robert Guiscard. But they could not agree. After a failed call for a crusade, Gregory excommunicated Robert in 1074.

In the same year, Gregory held a council in Rome. This council condemned simony (buying church offices). It also confirmed celibacy for priests. These rules were made even stricter the next year. Gregory also declared that only the Pope could appoint or remove bishops. This rule later caused the Investiture Controversy.

Conflict with the Emperor

The main challenge for Gregory VII was his relationship with the Holy Roman Empire. After Emperor Henry III died, the German monarchy became weaker. His son, Henry IV, faced many problems within his own country. This situation helped Gregory VII. Henry IV was also only 23 years old in 1073.

For two years after Gregory's election, Henry was busy with the Saxon Rebellion. He had to make peace with the Pope. In May 1074, Henry showed regret for his actions. He promised to obey the Pope and support Church reforms. But once he defeated the Saxons in 1075, Henry changed his attitude. He tried to regain control over northern Italy. He appointed his own archbishop in Milan. He also tried to make friends with the Norman duke Robert Guiscard.

Gregory VII responded with a strong letter on December 8, 1075. He accused Henry of breaking his promises. He also warned Henry that his crimes could lead to excommunication and losing his crown. Gregory sent this message even though he himself was attacked on Christmas night. A man named Cencio I Frangipane captured him in church. But Gregory was freed the next day.

Pope and Emperor Depose Each Other

Henry and his court were furious at the Pope's warnings. They quickly called a council in Worms, Germany on January 24, 1076. Many German clergy disliked Gregory. A cardinal named Hugo Candidus, who was once Gregory's friend, spoke against him. The assembly agreed that Gregory had lost his right to be Pope. The bishops said they no longer supported Gregory. Henry then declared Gregory removed from office. He told the Romans to choose a new Pope.

The council sent two bishops to Italy. They got the Lombard bishops to agree to Gregory's removal. Roland of Parma told the Pope about these decisions. He announced the dethronement during a council in Rome. At first, everyone was scared. But then, they became so angry that Gregory had to calm them down to save Roland.

On February 22, 1076, Pope Gregory VII officially excommunicated Henry IV. He also took away Henry's royal title. He told Henry's subjects they no longer had to obey him. This decision aimed to remove a ruler from the Church and his throne. Whether it worked depended on Henry's subjects, especially the German princes. Many people in Germany and Italy were deeply affected by Henry's excommunication.

Thirty years earlier, Henry III had removed three Popes. He was seen as helping the Church. But Henry IV was not as successful. He did not have the people's support. In Germany, many people supported Gregory. The princes used this chance to go against the king. When Henry tried to hold a meeting, few nobles showed up. The Saxons rebelled again. The group against the king grew stronger.

The Walk to Canossa

Henry's situation became very serious. The Pope's representative, Bishop Altmann of Passau, stirred up trouble. In October, the princes met to choose a new German ruler. Henry was near the Rhine River. He was saved from losing his throne only because the princes could not agree on a successor.

Their disagreement only made them delay their decision. They said Henry must make up with Gregory VII and promise to obey him. They decided that if Henry was still excommunicated a year later, his throne would be empty. They also invited Gregory VII to Augsburg to settle the conflict.

Henry knew what he had to do. He had to get Gregory to forgive him before the deadline. Otherwise, his opponents would use his excommunication against him. First, he sent messengers, but Gregory refused. So, Henry decided to go to Italy himself.

Gregory VII had already left Rome. He was expecting the German princes to escort him to Mantua. But he heard Henry had arrived. Henry had traveled through Burgundy. The Lombards welcomed him. But Henry did not use force against Gregory. Instead, he went to Canossa. Gregory was staying there under the protection of his ally, Matilda of Tuscany. Henry decided to do penance there to get forgiveness. This event became known as the Walk to Canossa.

The two leaders only reconciled after long talks. Henry had to make clear promises. Gregory VII finally gave in, though he worried about the political results. If Gregory forgave Henry, the meeting of princes in Augsburg might not happen. Or it would change completely. But Gregory could not refuse to let a truly sorry person back into the Church. His religious duties were more important than his political goals.

Removing the excommunication did not mean a true reconciliation. It did not solve the main problem between Henry and Gregory: the issue of investiture. A new conflict was bound to happen. Henry thought that since he was no longer excommunicated, he was also no longer removed from his throne. Gregory, however, wanted to keep his options open. He said nothing about this at Canossa.

Later Excommunications

It was clear that Henry IV's excommunication was just an excuse for the rebellious German nobles. They continued to oppose him even after he was forgiven. In March 1077, they took a bigger step. They chose a rival ruler, Duke Rudolf of Swabia. The Pope's representatives at the election stayed neutral. Gregory VII tried to remain neutral for the next few years. This was easier because both sides were equally strong. Each side tried to get the Pope on their side. But Gregory's neutral policy made him lose trust from both parties.

Finally, Gregory decided to support Rudolf of Swabia. This was after Rudolf's victory at the Battle of Flarchheim in January 1080. Influenced by the Saxons and misinformed about the battle, Gregory stopped waiting. On March 7, 1080, he again excommunicated and removed King Henry from power.

But this time, the Pope's punishment was different. Many people felt it was unfair. They wondered if an excommunication based on weak reasons should be respected. The king, now more experienced, fought back strongly. He said the ban was illegal. He then called a council at Brixen. On June 25, this council declared Gregory removed from office. They named Archbishop Guibert of Ravenna as the new Pope.

On October 15, 1080, Pope Gregory told the clergy and people to elect a new archbishop. He called Guibert "mad" and "tyrannical." In 1081, Henry started fighting Gregory in Italy. Gregory's support had weakened. Thirteen cardinals had left him. To make things worse, Rudolf of Swabia died on October 16, 1081. Henry was now stronger, and Gregory was weaker. A new claimant, Hermann of Luxembourg, was put forward in August 1081. But he was not a good leader for Gregory's supporters in Germany. Henry IV's power was at its highest.

The Pope's main military supporter was Matilda of Tuscany. She blocked Henry's armies from crossing the mountains. So, Henry had to approach Rome from Ravenna. Rome surrendered to the German king in 1084. Gregory then went into exile in the Castel Sant'Angelo. Gregory refused Henry's offers. Henry promised to hand over Guibert if Gregory would crown him emperor. But Gregory insisted Henry must appear before a Council and show regret first. The emperor pretended to agree but tried to stop the bishops from meeting. A small number did gather. They asked Gregory to excommunicate Henry again, which he did.

When Henry heard this, he entered Rome again on March 21. He made sure his supporter, Archbishop Guibert, was enthroned as Pope Clement III on March 24, 1084. Henry was crowned emperor by his chosen Pope. But Robert Guiscard, with whom Gregory had made an alliance, was already marching on the city. Henry had to flee.

Exile from Rome

The Pope was freed. But the Roman people were angry about the actions of his Norman allies. So, Gregory had to leave Rome. He went to Monte Cassino, and later to the castle of Salerno by the sea. He died there on May 25, 1085. Three days before his death, he removed all the excommunications he had made. The only ones he kept were against Henry and Guibert.

Papal Policy in Europe

A map showing Pope Gregory VII's letters to different places.

Gregory VII's actions in other European countries were affected by his conflict with Germany. This conflict took up most of his energy. So, he often had to be more moderate with other rulers than he was with the German king.

England

In 1076, Gregory appointed Dol Euen as bishop of Dol. He rejected other candidates. He also gave Dol Euen the pallium, a special vestment for archbishops. This was on the condition that Dol Euen would follow the Holy See's decision. This decision was about whether Dol had the right to be a metropolitan see.

King William the Conqueror felt very secure in England. He controlled the Church there. He stopped bishops from visiting Rome. He also appointed bishops and abbots. He did not seem worried when the Pope lectured him. Gregory wanted William to understand the different powers of the Church and the state. Gregory also told William to acknowledge himself as a vassal of the Pope.

William was especially annoyed by Gregory's wish to divide the English Church into two provinces. William wanted to emphasize the unity of his new kingdom. Gregory's push for the Church to be independent from secular rulers became a bigger issue. He also wanted bishops to look to Rome for guidance. Gregory could not force the English king to change his church policy. So, he had to ignore what he did not approve of. He even tried to show King William his special affection. Overall, William's policies helped the Church in England.

Normans in Southern Italy

Gregory VII's relationship with the Normans was a harsh lesson. The big agreements made with them under Pope Nicholas II did not stop their advance into central Italy. They also failed to protect the papacy. When Gregory VII was in trouble with Henry IV, Robert Guiscard left him alone. Robert only helped when he himself was threatened by German armies. Then, after capturing Rome, Robert allowed his troops to plunder the city. The people's anger caused Gregory to go into exile.

Claims of Papal Power

In several countries, Gregory VII tried to claim that the Pope had sovereignty. He wanted them to recognize the Pope's right to own certain lands. He said that Corsica and Sardinia belonged to the Roman Church. This was based on "ancient custom." He also claimed Spain, Hungary, and Croatia as Church property. He even tried to make the king of Denmark hold his kingdom as a fief from the Pope.

In his church policies, Gregory had strong support. In England, Archbishop Lanfranc of Canterbury was close to him. In France, Bishop Hugh de Dié was his champion. Hugh later became Archbishop of Lyon.

France

Philip I of France practiced simony. He also acted violently against the Church. This led to threats from Gregory VII in 1074. Excommunication and removal from office seemed likely. But Gregory did not carry out his threats. This was because he wanted to save his strength for the conflict in Germany.

Pope Gregory also tried to organize a crusade into Al-Andalus. This was led by Count Ebles II of Roucy.

Distant Christian Countries

Gregory had connections with almost every Christian country. But these connections did not always meet his political hopes. His letters reached Poland, Kievan Rus', and Bohemia. He tried to bring Armenia closer to Rome, but he was not successful.

Byzantine Empire

Gregory was very concerned about the East. The split between Rome and the Byzantine Empire deeply troubled him. He worked hard to restore their friendly relationship. Gregory successfully contacted Emperor Michael VII. When news of Muslim attacks on Christians in the East reached Rome, Gregory had an idea. He thought of a large military expedition. He urged Christians to help recover the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This was an early idea for the First Crusade. He stressed the suffering of Eastern Christians. He argued that Western Christians had a duty to help them.

Church Reforms

Saint Gregory VII O.S.B.
Pope; Confessor
Born	Ildebrando di Soana 1015 Sovana, March of Tuscany
Died	25 May 1085 (aged 69-70) Salerno, Duchy of Apulia
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	25 May 1584, Saint Peter's Basilica, Papal States by Pope Gregory XIII
Canonized	24 May 1728, Saint Peter's Basilica, Papal States by Pope Benedict XIII
Attributes	Papal vestments Papal tiara Benedictine habit
Patronage	Diocese of Savona Salerno

Gregory VII believed that God founded the Church. He thought the Church's job was to unite all people. He believed God's will was the only law. He also thought the Church was above all human groups, especially states. As the head of the Church, the Pope was God's representative on Earth. So, disobeying the Pope meant disobeying God.

However, Gregory VII was also a practical leader. He knew he could not destroy all states. He accepted that states existed because God allowed them. He said the Church and state should work together. But he always believed the Church was superior to the state. He never doubted this.

He wanted all important disputes to be sent to Rome. People should appeal directly to him. This meant that the Pope would have more power. It also meant bishops would have less power. Since bishops did not want to give up their independence, Gregory's time as Pope was full of struggles with high-ranking clergy. Pope Gregory VII was also important in starting and organizing modern universities. In 1079, he ordered the creation of cathedral schools. These schools later became the first European universities.

His fight for papal supremacy was linked to his support for celibacy among priests. It was also linked to his attack on simony. Gregory VII did not invent celibacy for priests. But he fought for it more strongly than Popes before him. In 1074, he wrote a letter saying people did not have to obey bishops who allowed married priests. The next year, he told people to act against married priests. He also took away their income. Both campaigns, against married priests and against simony, faced a lot of resistance.

His writings are mostly about how the Church should be governed. Most of his letters are kept in his Register. This is now in the Vatican Archives.

Beliefs about the Eucharist

Pope Paul VI saw Gregory VII as important. Gregory helped confirm the belief that Christ is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. This statement of faith started a "Eucharistic Renaissance" in European churches. This happened from the 12th century onwards.

Death

Pope Gregory VII died in exile in Salerno. The words on his tomb in the city's Cathedral say: "I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore, I die in exile."

Legacy

Gregory VII was declared "blessed" by Pope Gregory XIII in 1584. He was made a saint on May 24, 1728, by Pope Benedict XIII.

See also

• Concordat of Worms
• Dictatus papae (1075–87)
• First Council of the Lateran
• Libertas ecclesiae
• List of popes