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Who he was
Dauferius, of a branch of the Lombard ducal family of Benevento, ran away from an arranged marriage to become a monk, taking the name Desiderius. As Abbot of Monte Cassino from 1058 he rebuilt the abbey and its church, filled its library and restored its discipline, and he was the popes' trusted go-between with the Normans.
What he is remembered for
Named by the dying Gregory VII as fit to succeed him, he was elected against his will in May 1086 and only took up the office in 1087. In poor health through his short reign, he renewed the ban on lay investiture at a council in Benevento and sent an Italian force that took Mahdia in North Africa. He died at Monte Cassino, where he was honoured from early times, and he is venerated as Blessed.
He is honoured by the Church as Blessed. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
All popes · Home · All saints