Pope Gregory VII

Hildebrand, a Tuscan monk, gave his name to the Gregorian Reform. He fought simony and insisted that bishops be chosen by the Church, not invested by kings. This brought him into conflict with the Emperor Henry IV, whom he excommunicated. In January 1077 Henry stood barefoot in the snow for three days at Canossa to seek his pardon. Driven from Rome in the end, Gregory died in exile at Salerno in 1085, saying: “I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile.” He is a saint.

Pontificate

22 April 1073 – 25 May 1085 (12 years, 1 month)

Birth name

Ildebrando di Soana

Born

c. 1020, Sovana

Died

31 May 1085, Salerno

Preceded by

Pope Alexander II

Succeeded by

Pope Victor III

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