Pope Stephen VII

"Stephen VII" redirects here. For the Moldavian ruler, see Ștefan Tomșa.

In some sources, this pope is called Stephen VIII and Pope Stephen VI is called Stephen VII. See Pope-elect Stephen for detailed explanations.

Pope Stephen VII
Papacy began	February 929
Papacy ended	15 March 931
Predecessor	Leo VI
Successor	John XI
Personal details
Birth name	? Stephanus de Gabrielli
Born	??? Rome, Papal States
Died	c. 15 March 931 Rome, Papal States
Other popes named Stephen

Pope Stephen VII (Latin: Stephanus VII; died c. 15 March 931) was Pope from February 929 to his death in 931. A candidate of the infamous Marozia, his pontificate occurred during the period known as the Saeculum obscurum.

Biography

Stephen was a Roman by birth, the son of Theodemundus, and perhaps a member of the Gabrielli family. He was elected—probably handpicked—by Marozia from the Tusculani family, as a stop-gap measure until her own son John was ready to assume the chair of Saint Peter. Prior to his election, Stephen had been the cardinal-priest of St Anastasia in Rome.

Very little is known about Stephen’s pontificate. During his two years as pope, Stephen confirmed the privileges of a few religious houses in France and Italy. As a reward for helping free Stephen from the oppression of Hugh of Arles, Stephen granted Cante di Gabrielli the position of papal governor of Gubbio, and control over a number of key fortresses. Stephen was also noted for the severity with which he treated clergy who strayed in their morals. He was also, apparently, according to a hostile Greek source from the twelfth century, the first pope who went around clean shaved whilst pope.

Stephen died around 15 March 931, and was succeeded by Pope John XI.

References

• Mann, Horace K., The Lives of the Popes in the Early Middle Ages, Vol. IV: The Popes in the Days of Feudal Anarchy, 891-999 (1910)
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External links

• Stephen VII

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Leo VI	Pope 928–931	Succeeded by John XI