Pope Gregory VII, one of the greatest medieval popes, played a significant role in the Investiture Controversy and proposed reforms that became known as the Gregorian Reforms. He successfully deposed Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, establishing the primacy of papal authority and new canon law. Born as Hildebrand Bonizi, he received his education from his uncle, the abbot of a monastery, and rose to become a powerful religious figure before becoming Pope Gregory VII in 1073.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Hildebrand of Sovana, St. Gregory VII
- Died At Age: 70
- Died on: May 25, 1085
- Place of Death: Salerno, Italy
Childhood & Early Life
Hildebrand Bonizi, later known as Pope Gregory VII, was born around 1020 in Sovana, in the county of Grosseto, now southern Tuscany, central Italy. The details of his early life and family are not well-known. Some sources suggest that his family was of humble origins, while others claim that he came from an upper-middle-class family. As a youth, he went to Rome to study and it is believed that his uncle was the abbot of a monastery on the Aventine Hill. He received his education from prominent figures such as Archbishop Lawrence of Amalfi and Johannes Gratianus, the future Pope Gregory VI.
Later Years
After Pope Gregory VI was deposed and exiled to Cologne, Germany, Hildebrand followed him into exile. He continued his studies in Cologne and returned to Rome in early 1049 after the death of Gregory VI. Bruno of Toul, who became Pope Leo IX, named Hildebrand as deacon and papal administrator. This marked the beginning of Hildebrand’s long and successful religious career. Over the next 24 years, he served Pope Leo IX and his four successors, going on legatine missions in Italy, France, and Germany, and playing a vital role in the formulation and implementation of papal policy. By the early 1060s, he had become one of the most powerful figures in the papal administration and a prominent papal adviser. He played a major role in the election of Pope Alexander II and in the reconciliation with the Norman kingdom of southern Italy.
Papacy and Conflict
When Pope Alexander II died in 1073, Hildebrand was raised to the papacy by Roman citizens and clergy and took the name Gregory in memory of Gregory I. As pope, he became deeply involved in the reform of the Church, believing that it was a divine institution founded by God and that he, as the pope and head of the Church, was the vice-regent of God on earth. His convictions led to conflicts with the rulers of European kingdoms, as his insistence on eliminating secular influence threatened their power. This clash between the Roman Empire and the Church led to the Investiture Controversy, a conflict over whether the pope or the monarch should have the power to appoint powerful local church officials.
Major Works
Pope Gregory VII is best remembered for his role in the Investiture Controversy, which was the most significant conflict between Church and state in medieval Europe. He also initiated a series of reforms known as the Gregorian Reforms, which focused on the moral integrity and independence of the clergy, including the enforcement of celibacy for the clergy.
Personal Life & Legacy
Pope Gregory VII died in exile in Salerno on May 25, 1085. Centuries after his death, he was beatified by Pope Gregory XIII in 1584 and canonized in 1728 by Pope Benedict XIII.