Gregory VI, Pope

GREGORIO VI, POPE. — Giovanni Graziano; he held the pontificate from 5 May 1045 to 20 December 1046. Archpriest of S. Giovanni ante Portam Latinam, and one of the tutors of Ildebrando-Gregorio (v. VIZI), he purchased the tiara from Pope Benedetto IX for a certain sum, in order to free the Church from that Pope. A worthy man, he was unanimously elected by the Roman clergy and people, enthusiastically acclaimed by s. Pier Damiani, and recognized by the king of France and, at first, also by Enrico III, king of Germany. The latter, however, sincerely devoted to the reform of the Church and wholly opposed to simony, at the Synod of Sutri (December 1046), in addition to Benedetto IX and Silvestro III, whom he had already deposed, also deposed G. VI, although personally worthy, on account of the simoniacal act involved in his acquisition of the supreme pontificate, and sent him into exile. Ildebrando followed him as his chaplain as far as Cologne, where G. VI died shortly afterward.