Pope Leo VIII

Leo VIII (* in Rome, † March 1 965 ) was pope from December 4 963. His name means: the lion (latin )

His predecessor John XII. was deposed by a meeting called by the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I. Synod after an indictment against him for countless crimes. The Synod then elected Leo VIII on December 4, 963 to the Pope.

The prothonotary Leo was considered a worthy person, but at the time of his appointment as Pope layman. Against the canon he was the Bishop of Ostia in a day consecutively for Ostiarius, lector, exorcist, acolyte, subdeacon, deacon, priest and ordained a bishop. Very much questionable at the time were the circumstances under which his predecessor John XII. had come to his orders. After his election, Leo VIII was ordained on the basis of privilege Ottonianum Pope. Although he was told by some of the anti-pope, he is regarded as the rightful successor of Pope John XII.

John XII. himself had never renounced his rights and held, had left when Emperor Otto Rome, another Synod. These same bishops who had deposed him at the time, now precipitated the same judgment against Leo VIII John XII. but he died on 14 May 964

Without continued to take care of Leo VIII, who had sought refuge in the camp of Emperor Otto, now chose the Romans Benedict V ( 22 May to 23 June 964 ) to the Pope. Otto, who in this election a fraction of the first also of John XII. saw approved privilege, now retired with a strong army against Rome. Benedict V was deposed and his place Pope Leo VIII was lifted into office again, but he died in March 965

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