**STEPHEN IV** (q.v.), POPE. - Of Roman family, he easily obtained on 22 June 816 the suffrages of the Roman clergy for his election to the papal throne.
He did not wait to receive episcopal consecration, which took place on 22 June, for the authorization of Louis II. However, to avoid offending the Emperor’s sensibilities, he took care to have the Roman people swear an oath of fidelity to him; moreover, he sent two messengers to notify Louis of his election and to inform him of his imminent arrival. In the following October, at Reims, he succeeded in persuading Louis to receive from his hands the liturgical unction and a rich golden crown. Great was the significance of this papal act, for it implied for the Emperor the necessity of resorting to the Pope for the full exercise of his powers; moreover, it established a second precedent in any case. S. also obtained permission for those who had participated in a conspiracy in 799 and had consequently been exiled to return to Rome.
He died in Rome on 24 January 817, shortly after his return.
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