Stephen V (VI)

Who he was

Stephen was the son of Hadrian, a Roman nobleman, and was brought up by a kinsman, Bishop Zachary, the librarian of the Holy See. Marinus I made him Cardinal-Priest of the Santi Quattro Coronati, and he was chosen pope unanimously for his evident holiness. He is counted as both Stephen V and Stephen VI.

What he is remembered for

Faced with famine from drought and locusts and an empty treasury, he used his own family's wealth to feed the poor, ransom captives and repair churches. He crowned Guido of Spoleto emperor in 891, recognised Louis the Blind as King of Provence, and resisted the claims of Photius of Constantinople. He received many English pilgrims and envoys bringing Peter's Pence.

Sources

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1912): Pope Stephen (V) VI
• New Catholic Encyclopedia: Popes, List of (dates from the Annuario Pontificio 2001)