Who he was
Adrian was a Roman cardinal from a family that had already given two popes, much loved for his kindness and charity. He had been married before he was ordained, and had twice turned down the papacy. He was seventy-five when the clergy and people elected him, against his wishes, after St Nicholas I died.
What he is remembered for
He followed closely in his predecessor's steps: he received King Lothair II back to communion only on his oath to return to his lawful wife, and upheld the right of bishops to appeal to Rome. Through his legates he presided over the Eighth General Council at Constantinople in 869, which deposed Photius and restored unity between East and West. He backed Sts Cyril and Methodius in their mission to the Slavs and approved their use of the Slavonic language in the liturgy.
Sources
All popes · Home · All saints