POPE DAMASUS II

'Damasus II' (died August 9, 1048), born 'Poppo', Pope from July 17,1048 to August 9, 1048, was the second of the German pontiffs nominated by Emperor Henry III (1039–56). A native of Bavaria, he was the third German to become Pope. His original name was Poppo, and he was bishop of Brixen when the Emperor raised him to the papacy.
The Catholic Encyclopedia is quite scathing in its coverage of Damasus II's election, commenting that;

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Election

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Election

On Christmas Day in 1047, an embassy sent by the Roman people brought the tidings of Clement II's death to Henry III, at Pölthe in Saxony, and sought the Emperor, in his position as Patricius of the Romans to appoint a worthy successor. The envoys, according to their instructions, suggested as a suitable candidate, Halinard, the Archbishop of Lyon, who was a fluent speaker of Italian, and was well respected in Rome. However, in January 1048, Henry III appointed Poppo, Bishop of Brixen, in Tyrol, and at once directed the Margrave Boniface to conduct the Pope-designate to Rome. Boniface at first refused, alleging the installation of Benedict IX, but Henry III's decisive threat soon reduced him to obedience. After Benedict IX's removal, the Bishop of Brixen entered the city and was enthroned at the Lateran as Pope Damasus II on 17 July, 1048. His pontificate, however, was of short duration. After the brief space of twenty-three days, he died at Palestrina, whither he had gone shortly after the installation to escape the summer heat of Rome. The Pope was buried in San Lorenzo fuori le Mura.
The shortness Damasus II's reign led to rumors that he had been poisoned, but it is more likely that he died of malaria.

See also

★ List of popes by length of reign

References

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