101
- GREGORY IV Born in Rome, he was elected on the 20th September
827 and died on the 11th January 844. He organized a powerful army under
the command of the Duke of Tuscany which defeated the Saracens in Africa
five times. These, however, having landed in Italy, destroyed Civitavecchia
and Ostia and threatened Rome. (more
detail)
102
- SERGIUS II Born in Rome, he was elected in January 844
and died on the 27th January 847. During his pontificate the Saracens laid
siege to Rome and sacked the Basilica of St. Paul and other churches. They
were finally defeated at Gaeta. He reassembled the stairs of the
"Pretorium" known as the "Holy Stairs". (more
detail)
103
- St. LEO IV Born in Rome, he was elected on the 10th April
847 and died on the 17th July 855. He was the first pontiff to put the
date on official documents. He confirmed the Venetians in their right to
elect the Doge. He built walls around the Vatican Hill and the Leonine
City. (more
detail)
104
- BENEDICT III Born in Rome, he was elected on the 29th September
855 and died on the 17th April 858. Beloved by the people because of his
virtue, he was bitterly opposed by the Emperor and by the Antipope Anastasius
who held that "Office" for only one month. He tried to unite the different
factions in the struggle against the Saracens. (more
detail)
105
- St. NICHOLAS I Born in Rome, he was elected on the 24th April
858 and died on the 13th November 867. After grave disagreements with the
Emperor Louis II he united with him to form an army against the Saracens.
He strenuously defended the liberty of the Church against Photius. He appointed
the 15th August as the Feast of the Assumption. (more
detail)
106
- ADRIAN II Born in Rome, he was elected on the 14th December
867 and died on the 14th December 872. He is remembered for having crowned
Alfred the Great as King of England (the first English sovereign blessed
by Rome). He tried to settle the deep quarrels among the catholic peoples.
He called the 8th Ecumemcal Council. (more
detail)
107
- JOHN VIII Born in Rome, he was elected on the 13th December
872 and died on the 16th December 882. Assisted only by the inhabitants
of Rome he defeated the Saracens at Terracina. After his coronation Charles
the Gross failed to maintain his promise of help, and the pope was defeated
by the Arabs; he was forced to pay a large tribute. (more
detail)
108
- MARINUS I Born in Gallese (Rome), he was elected on
the 16th December 882 and died on the 15th May 884. He excerced great pressure
on Basil, the Eastern Emperor, to act against schismatics. A strong suspicion of poisoning
surrounded his death which occured after he had tried to solve the quarrels
of the Italians. (more
detail)
109
St. ADRIAN III Born in Rome, he was elected on the 17th May
884 and died in September 885. As soon as he was on the throne he confirmed
what had been decided by his predecessors against the Emperor Photius.
Having been invited by