Benedict IV, Pope

BENEDETTO IV, POPE. - A Roman, son of Mammolo, he succeeded Giovanni IX (d. at the beginning of 900) and continued his prudent and discreet policy. He had been ordained priest by Pope Formoso and remained faithful to his memory, recognizing his legitimacy at the Lateran Council of 30 August 900. The most important event of his pontificate was the imperial coronation of Luigi III di Provenza (15 or 22 February 901), whom certain lords had invited into Italy against Berengario I. The documents record several acts of B.: he confirmed for Angrino, bishop of Langres, the pallium granted him by Pope Formoso (Jaffé-Wattenbach, 3527-28); he excommunicated the murderer of Folco, archbishop of Reims; he invested Stefano, formerly bishop of Sorrento, with the see of Naples; he issued to Malaceno, bishop of Amasea, expelled by the Saracens, a document guaranteeing him protection and assistance. He confirmed the privileges of the abbey of Fulda. He died toward the end of July 903. The suspicions that he was poisoned by the supporters of Berengario do not withstand sound criticism. He was buried in St. Peter’s. The historian and poet Flodoardo (894-966) says that he was generous and kindly, and that with constant goodness he loved desolate widows, the poor, and the abandoned as though they were his own children (PL 135, 831).