Antipope Boniface VII - Prior To Papacy

Prior To Papacy

The predecessor of Boniface VII was Benedict VI, ordained on January 19, 973. He was the Imperial faction candidate, while Franco (late Boniface VII) was the proposed candidate for the National party. Benedict VI was chosen by the Imperial faction and approved as Pope by Otto the Great, even though he lacked the support of much of the Roman aristocracy. Once Benedict VI came to power as pope, a widespread fear spread throughout Rome of whether or not the Emperor (Otto I the Great) would be able to do enough to keep Rome in check. On May 7, 973, Otto the Great died, and the youthful Otto II took over. Consequently, the Romans deserted their pope immediately and hurried to push forth their own candidate to replace him. Many of the Romans saw the beginning of Otto the 2nd’s reign as a glimmer of hope that it might be possible for them to recover their ancient rights and even free themselves from foreign rule.