STEFANO IV (V), POPE. - Of a Roman family, he readily obtained, on 22 June 816, the votes of the Roman clergy for election to the papal throne.
He did not wait for Ludovico il Pio’s authorization before receiving episcopal consecration, which took place on 22 June. In order not to offend the Emperor’s susceptibilities, however, he took care to have the Roman people swear him an oath of fidelity; moreover, he sent two envoys to notify him of his election and to forewarn him of his imminent arrival. In the following October, at Reims, he succeeded in persuading Ludovico to receive from his hands liturgical anointing and a rich golden crown. This papal act was of great importance, because it entailed for the Emperor the necessity of having recourse to the Pope for the full exercise of his powers; and, in any event, it created a second precedent. S. also obtained permission to return to Rome for those who in 799 had taken part in a conspiracy and had therefore been exiled.
His death occurred in Rome on 24 Jan. 817, shortly after his return.