Gregory VI, Pope

Gregory VI, Pope a Roman, whose original name was JOHANNES GRATIANUS, and who had had great repute for sanctity as a priest, obtained (A.D. 1044) the papal chair by purchase fiome Benedict IX, who abdicated to marry a girl of noble family. Failing in this, he claimed the seat again, and there were three claimants at once. Benedict IX, Gregory VI, and Sylvester III., Rome was filled with brawls and murders, and Gregory himself wielded the sword with effect! In 1046 Henry III came to Rome, deposed all three of the rival popes, and seated Clement II in thee apostolic chair. Gregory died in Cologne A.D. 1048. See Baronius, Annales, t. 17; Hoefler, Die deutschen Päpste; 1:224.