Pope Sergius II (; died 27 January 847) was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from January 844 to his death in 847. Sergius II's pontificate saw the Arab raid against Rome as well as the city's redevelopment.

Rise

Born to a noble family, Sergius was educated in the schola cantorum and ordained cardinal-priest of the Church of Sts. Martin and Sylvester by Pope Paschal I. Under Pope Gregory IV, he became archpriest.

At a preliminary meeting to designate a successor to Gregory IV, who died in January 844, Sergius was nominated by the aristocracy, while the people of Rome declared for the deacon John. The opposition was suppressed, with Sergius intervening to save John's life. John was, however, shut up in a monastery, and Sergius was duly consecrated, without seeking ratification of the Frankish court. but the pope did not accede to all the demands made upon him.

Pontificate

Sergius contributed to urban redevelopment in Rome, improving churches, aqueducts, and the Lateran Basilica.

During his pontificate, the outskirts of Rome were ravaged, and the churches of St. Peter and St. Paul were sacked by Arabs, who also approached Portus and Ostia in August 846. Despite having been forewarned of the intentions of the raiders, Sergius is seen as having not acted adequately enough to prepare for that which eventuated.

Sergius died while negotiating between the patriarchs of Aquileia and Grado. He was succeeded by Leo IV.

Pope Sergius was portrayed by John Goodman in the 2009 film Pope Joan.

References

Sources

  • Cheetham, Nicolas, Keepers of the Keys, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1983.
  • Opera Omnia by Migne Patrologia Latina with analytical indexes