Pope Stephen IX

Pope Stephen IX was a member of the Ardenne-Verdun family, who ruled the Duchy of Lorraine. He started his ecclesiastical career as a canon in Liège and became a close adviser to his cousin Pope Leo IX. He was appointed cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria in Domnica and chancellor of the Holy See. He also served as a papal legate to Constantinople, where he tried to heal the East-West Schism, but failed. He was elected abbot of Montecassino in 1057 and pope on 3 August 1057. As pope, he continued Leo IX's efforts to reform the Church and expel the Normans from southern Italy. He also supported the election of Henry IV as Holy Roman emperor and tried to crown his brother Godfrey as king of Italy. He died in Florence on 29 March 1058, apparently poisoned by Roman nobles who opposed his reforms. He was buried in the San Lorenzo Basilica. He is regarded as one of the key pontiffs to begin the Gregorian Reform.