On the death of
Sergius IV in June,
1012, "a certain Gregory", opposed the
election of
Benedict VIII, and got
himself made pope,
seemingly by a small faction. Promptly expelled from
Rome, he made his way
to Germany, and craved
the support of King Henry
II (25 Dec., 1012). That monarch, however, after promising him that his case
should be carefully examined in accordance with
canon law and Roman
custom, took away from
him the papal insignia
which he was wearing, and bade him cease to act as
pope in the meanwhile.
After this, history knows the "certain Gregory" no more.
Chronicle of Thietmar, IV, lxi, in P.L., CXXXIX.
HORACE K. MANN
Transcribed by Janet van Heyst
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VI
Copyright © 1909 by Robert Appleton Company
Nihil Obstat, September 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor
Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York