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Saint Gregory VII
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Saint Gregory VII

The reforming pope of the eleventh century and rival of King Henry IV

Rank
Saint
Kind
Pope
Life
d. 1085
Era
11th century
Feast
25 May
Countries
Italy
Italy

Life story

Hildebrand was born around 1015 at Sovana in Tuscany. He came to Rome as a young man and served in the papal court under several popes, holding the office of archdeacon and acting as an influential adviser. On 22 April 1073, after the death of Alexander II, the people and clergy of Rome acclaimed him pope, and he took the name Gregory VII; he was consecrated on 29 June 1073.

His pontificate is associated with reform, aimed against the buying and selling of church offices, known as simony, and with strengthening clerical celibacy. In 1075 the text known as the Dictatus papae, twenty-seven propositions on papal authority, appeared in his register. He also opposed the appointment of bishops and abbots by secular rulers, which led to a bitter conflict with the German king Henry IV, known as the Investiture Controversy.

In 1076 he excommunicated Henry IV. In early 1077 the king came to Canossa to seek absolution, which Gregory granted in January of that year. The conflict continued, and in 1080 he excommunicated the king again. In 1084 Henry took Rome and set up a rival pope. Gregory was rescued by the Normans under Robert Guiscard, but their attack on Rome caused heavy damage, and he left the city with them for the south.

He died on 25 May 1085 at Salerno, in exile. According to tradition, his last words were that he had loved justice and hated iniquity and therefore died in exile. Gregory XIII beatified him in 1584, and Benedict XIII canonised him on 24 May 1728. His feast is on 25 May.

Works and witness

  • Acclaimed pope on 22 April 1073
  • Pushed reform against simony and for clerical discipline
  • His register contains the Dictatus papae of 1075 on papal authority
  • Excommunicated Henry IV in 1076 and absolved him at Canossa in 1077
  • Died in exile at Salerno on 25 May 1085; canonised in 1728

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

  • Martyrologium Romanum
  • Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
  • Gregorii VII Registrum (the register of Gregory VII)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.