Leo VIII
Leo VIII (* in Rome ; † March 1, 965 ) was Pope from December 4, 963.
His predecessor John XII. was deposed by a synod convened by the Roman-German Emperor Otto I. after he was charged with countless crimes. The synod then elected Leo VIII on December 4, 963 pope .
The protonotary Leo was considered a worthy person, but was at the time of his appointment as Pope layman . Against the canon , he was consecrated one day by the Bishop of Ostia as Ostiarius , lecturer , exorcist , acolyte , subdeacon , deacon , priest and finally bishop . After his election, Leo VIII was enthroned as Pope on the basis of the Privilegium Ottonianum . Although he has been declared an antipope by some, he is considered the rightful successor to John XII.
John XII. himself had never renounced his rights and held a synod when Emperor Otto left Rome. The same bishops who had deposed him at the time now passed the same judgment against Leo VIII. John XII. however, died on May 14, 964.
Without paying any further attention to Leo VIII, who had sought refuge in Emperor Otto's camp, the Romans now elected Benedict V (May 22 to June 23, 964) Pope. Otto, who in this election was a breach of the initially also by Johannes XII. saw the privilege granted, now marched against Rome with a strong army. Benedict V was deposed and Pope Leo VIII was re-elected in his place, but he died in March 965.
literature
- Harald Zimmermann : Leo VIII .. In: Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL). Volume 4, Bautz, Herzberg 1992, ISBN 3-88309-038-7 , Sp. 1442-1443.
- Entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia , Robert Appleton Company, New York 1913.
Web link
| predecessor | Office | successor |
|---|---|---|
| John XII. |
Pope 963-964 |
Benedict V. |
| Benedict V. |
Pope 964-965 |
John XIII |
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Leo VIII |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Pope (963-965) |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 9th century or 10th century |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Rome |
| DATE OF DEATH | March 1, 965 |