Pope Sergius III facts for kids

Pope Sergius III (c. 860 − 14 April 911) was the bishop of Rome and leader of the Papal States from January 29, 904, until his death. He became pope during a time of change and challenges in central Italy. During this period, powerful families in Rome tried to control the resources of the papacy. With help from Theophylact I of Tusculum, Sergius became pope after Antipope Christopher had taken the position from Pope Leo V. Sergius' time as pope was greatly influenced by Theophylact.

As pope, Sergius continued some important church discussions from earlier popes. This included debates about the decisions made by Pope Formosus and the filioque issue with Eastern church leaders. His time as pope also involved political challenges. He did not crown Berengar I of Italy as Holy Roman Emperor. He also supported Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise's fourth marriage. Sergius also oversaw the repair of the Lateran Palace.

Early Life and Church Career

Sergius was the son of Benedictus. People traditionally believed he came from a noble Roman family. Some think he might have been related to the family of Theophylact I of Tusculum. Pope Marinus I made him a subdeacon. Later, Pope Stephen V made him a deacon.

During the time of Pope Formosus (891–896), Sergius supported Emperor Lambert. Lambert was against Formosus and his choice for emperor, Arnulf of Carinthia. Formosus made Sergius Bishop of Caere (Cerveteri) in 893. This was likely to move him away from Rome. Sergius stopped being Bishop of Caere when Formosus died in 896. This was because many of Formosus's ordinations were later declared invalid. However, Sergius's ordination was later confirmed again by Theodore II.

After Theodore died in 898, Sergius tried to become pope. He had a small group of Roman nobles supporting him. But Emperor Lambert did not want him to be pope. Another candidate, Pope John IX (898–900), was also chosen. With Lambert's help, John became pope. John then held a meeting where he excommunicated Sergius and his followers. Sergius was then forced to leave Rome. He went to his church area at Caere. There, he was protected by Margrave Adalbert II of Tuscany.

Becoming Pope and His Rule

When Antipope Christopher (903–904) took the papal seat by force, things in Rome had changed. Theophylact of Tusculum, a powerful military leader, had become very influential. Theophylact led a group of nobles against Christopher. He asked Sergius to come back to Rome and become pope. Sergius agreed. With armed help from Adalbert II, he entered Rome. By then, Theophylact had already put Christopher in prison. Sergius was then made pope on January 29, 904.

Sergius III became pope because of Theophylact's power. He rewarded Theophylact by making him sacri palatii vestararius. This was a very important position that controlled church money and favors. Theophylact now held most of the real power. Sergius became largely guided by him. Sergius also helped his own family and supporters get important positions in the church.

Church Activities in Italy

Pope Sergius III called a church meeting. At this meeting, they decided that all ordinations (making someone a priest or bishop) done by Formosus were not valid. Bishops ordained by Formosus had to be ordained again. This decision was not popular. Those far from Rome often ignored it. They also wrote letters saying that the original ordinations were valid. This ruling was later changed again after Sergius's death.

Sergius also honored Pope Stephen VI (896–897). Stephen VI had been involved in the earlier controversial actions against Formosus.

Sergius and Theophylact did not fully support Emperor Louis the Blind. They were also hesitant to give the imperial title to Berengar I of Italy. Once, around 906, Sergius agreed to crown Berengar. But Berengar could not reach Rome. This was because forces from Alberic I of Spoleto and Adalbert II of Tuscany stopped him. These men had supported Sergius but were unhappy with his choice to support Berengar. Also, Berengar did not control his own leaders well. When Albuinus, a leader in Istria, took church land from John, the archbishop of Ravenna, in 907, Sergius wrote to him asking him to stop. When Albuinus ignored him, Sergius wrote to the bishop of Pola in 910. He made it clear that he would not crown Berengar until he promised to take the land from Albuinus and give it to someone better.

Sergius rebuilt the Lateran Palace. An earthquake in 896 had damaged it. Antipope Christopher had also taken its treasures. Sergius refurnished it with new items, images, and crosses. He decorated its new walls with paintings. In 905, he gave money to the Church of Silva Candida. This church had been damaged by a Saracen attack. He also helped rebuild Nonantola Abbey, which had been attacked by the Magyars. Finally, he gave special rights to some monasteries and churches in West and East Francia.

Relations with Constantinople

Sergius, like popes before him, continued to support the Filioque addition to the Nicene Creed. This was different from the view of the Eastern church. Church representatives from the pope attended a meeting called the Synod of Trosle in June 909. They spoke against the Byzantine view. The meeting then condemned this view in its fourteenth rule:

As the Holy Apostolic See has made known to us that the blasphemous errors of a certain Photius against the Holy Ghost are still vigorous in the East, errors which teach that the Holy Spirit proceeds not from the Son but from the Father only we exhort you venerable brethren, together with us, in accordance with the admonition of the ruler of the Roman See, after a careful study of the works of the Fathers, to draw from the quiver of Holy Writ arrows sharp enough to slay the monster which is again springing into life.

Almost a century later, this decision led to Sergius's name being removed from the church's official list of honored people by Patriarch Sergius II of Constantinople.

A major issue with Constantinople during Sergius's time was the fourth marriage of the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise. Both the emperor, who wanted to marry Zoe Karbonopsina, and the patriarch of Constantinople, Nicholas Mystikos, asked Sergius for his opinion. The pope sent his representatives to Constantinople. They confirmed the pope's decision in favor of the emperor. This was because fourth marriages had not been fully forbidden by the Church. Nicholas refused to accept this decision. As a result, Leo VI removed him from his position. Nicholas then also appealed to Sergius, saying his removal was unfair.

Death and Legacy

Sergius III died on April 14, 911. Pope Anastasius III became pope after him. Sergius was buried in the Church of St. Peter.

Much of Sergius's time as pope has been viewed negatively in history. This is mainly because of how the historian Liutprand of Cremona described his character and the state of Rome at the time. Liutprand's writings led the 16th-century historian Caesar Baronius to call this period the Saeculum obscurum, or "dark century."

Many modern historians still have a low opinion of Sergius's time as pope. According to Horace K. Mann, "Sergius was, unfortunately, a pronounced party-man, and anxious for the supremacy of his party." Ferdinand Gregorovius said that Sergius was at least a man of energy. Walter Ullmann described Sergius as a typical leader from the powerful House of Theophylact, mainly focused on power.

See also

In Spanish: Sergio III para niños

• List of popes