Pope Stephen (VIII) IX

Stephen (VIII) IX, POPE, 939-942, date of birth unknown; he became pope about July 14, 939, and d. about the end of October, 942. Despite the contrary assertions of late writers, there is no doubt that Stephen was a Roman and cardinal-priest of SS. Silvester and Martin. He supported the declining Carlovingian dynasty, and by threat of excommunication forced the nobles to be faithful to the Frankish King Louis IV d’Outre-Mer. Throughout the whole of his pontificate he was subject to Alberic, Prince of the Romans, and so had little opportunity of distinguishing himself.

HORACE K. MANN