The Pope Who Wasn't There: Benedict's Triple Papacy
Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church and its first pontiff from Latin America, died on Easter Monday, April 21. He was 88.
The Vatican confirmed the news, stating that at 7:35 local time, the Pope "returned to the house of the Father." His death was formally certified by the head of the Vatican's health department and the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, in keeping with Church protocols.
As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, the spotlight also returns to a long and dramatic history of the papacy. Among the more extraordinary stories from the Vatican's 1,000-year-plus past is that of Benedict IX, a medieval pope whose reign was anything but stable.
Benedict IX's papacy was marked by being elected three times, selling the papacy, being deposed, reinstated, and ultimately excommunicated.
Turbulent Papacy Of Benedict IX
Benedict IX is the only individual in Church history to have occupied the papal throne on three separate occasions - a feat unmatched and still shrouded in controversy.
Born Theophylactus of the influential Tusculani family, Benedict IX's ascent to power was paved by dynastic privilege. He was a nephew to two former popes - Benedict VIII and John XIX - and was propelled into the papacy in 1032, reportedly at the age of 20, though some accounts place him as young as 12.
His first papal tenure, marred by scandal and accusations of immorality, ended in 1044 when he was ousted and replaced by Sylvester III. Yet the story didn't end there. Within months, Benedict IX's supporters forced Sylvester out, reinstating Benedict in April 1045.
Benedict IX resigned in May 1045 and sold the papal office to his godfather, Pope Gregory VI - a transaction that sparked significant outrage.
This exchange backfired. Gregory VI was soon deposed in December 1046 during a synod led by Holy Roman Emperor Henry III. Clement II, his successor, served briefly before his death in October 1047.
Benedict IX seized this opportunity to reclaim the papacy for a third time. But by July 1048, forces loyal to the Emperor had once again expelled him, bringing an end to his final reign.
The papal office has seen its share of remarkable figures. Pius IX, for example, holds the record for the longest verified papal reign, which lasted 11,560 days. The Gregorian calendar, still in use today, was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Among papal names, John remains the most popular, having been used legitimately by 21 pontiffs. In terms of global reach, Pope John Paul II set a high bar by visiting 129 countries during his pontificate - a record unmatched in papal history.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Herbs to Banish Negativity – Because Not Every Vibe Deserves a Seat at the Table
Sometimes it's not the people causing the issue, it's simply the prevailing energy. And in such cases, herbs? They're truly nature's most effective bouncers. Negative energy doesn't just confine itself to horror movies or your ex's DMs—it has a tendency to stick to places, cling to people, and even linger in that one specific corner of a room that always feels inexplicably "off. " But before you feel the need to call a priest or smudge everything into a smoke alarm-triggering situation, consider these power-packed herbs, renowned across various cultures for effectively sending bad juju packing. 1. Sage – The MVP of Cleansing Widely recognized as the Beyoncé of banishing rituals. White sage, in particular, is frequently used to thoroughly clear spaces of stagnant or heavy energy. Simply light it, wave the smoke around, and bid a firm goodbye to that lingering emotional hangover. 2. Rosemary – The Warrior Herb Rosemary isn't just a delightful addition to your pasta dishes. In various folklore traditions, it's firmly believed to repel feelings of jealousy, deceit, and even psychic attacks. You can burn it, boil it, or simply carry a small sprig—just make sure you don't underestimate its potent, old-school witchy power. 3. Basil – The Energy Filter Basil not only attracts blessings but also actively works to kick out negativity. In Hindu traditions, Tulsi (Holy Basil) is revered as sacred for very good reason—it purifies not just the physical space, but is also believed to purify one's karma. And, as an added bonus, mosquitoes reportedly detest it too. It's a clear win-win situation. 4. Bay Leaves – For Wishes and Warding Off Weirdness Grab a bay leaf, write down what specifically needs to leave your life (be it toxic vibes, persistent overthinking, or that confusing situationship), and then ceremonially burn it. This isn't just dramatic; it's a form of symbolic spellwork with deep roots in ancient Roman magical practices. 5. Lavender – Peace in Plant Form This soothing herb calms the mind, softens the heart, and effectively helps kick anxiety out the window. Utilizing lavender smoke or essential oil is a gentle yet potent way to remove internal chaos without resorting to something as drastic as a full exorcism. 6. Cedar – Ancient Forest Energy Used extensively by Indigenous cultures for centuries. Cedar doesn't just banish unwanted energy—it actively protects the space. Think of it as the spiritual equivalent of putting on a pair of noise-canceling headphones for your environment. 7. Mugwort – The Dream Gatekeeper This particular herb is especially beneficial for those who tend to overthink and over-feel. Mugwort helps clear subconscious clutter, aids in vivid and insightful dreams, and diligently guards the aura like a highly effective cosmic security guard. How to Use Them: Burn them as incense or in bundles (a practice commonly known as smudging). Infuse them into your bathwater for a cleansing soak. Create sprays using their essential oils diluted with water. Carry small amounts in a charm bag or pouch for personal protection. Place them under your pillow for dream work or near entryways to protect your home. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
India.com
5 days ago
- India.com
This country has no hospital, no child is born since..., the country is...
This country has no hospital, no child is born since..., the country is... No hospital in a country? Is it even real? But there is a country which has no hospitals, but not for the reasons you might think. The country we are talking about is the Vatican City, the epicenter of Christianity and the world's smallest country. This country came into existence in the year 1929. The home of the Roman Catholic Church, and the proverbial Mecca of Catholicism, Vatican City does not have a single hospital within its national boundaries, and more surprisingly, no child has reportedly been born in this tiny city state for almost 96 years. This country is the main home of the Roman Catholic Church and is considered as the smallest country in the world. When someone falls ill in this country, people here go to Rome for treatment. Shockingly, not a single child has been born in the last 96 years due to the lack of a maternity ward. According to reports, the Vatican City, which was officially carved out as an independent sovereign nation February 11, 1929, has not had a single childbirth since the country was formed. Why Vatican City has no hospitals? The Vatican City is the home of the Pope, as well as other major religious leaders and priests of the Roman Catholic Church, and while multiple requests for building a hospital in the city state were raised since its formation, they were all turned down. Luckily though, Vatican City lies in middle of Rome, the capital city of Italy, and whenever there is a situation where someone needs hospital care, they are taken to the Italian capital.
India.com
6 days ago
- India.com
Meet 44-Year-Old ‘Typing Man' Of India Who Broke Guinness Record For Typing With His Nose—Now Wants To Break Sachin Tendulkar's Records
photoDetails english 2910713 Have you ever tried typing with your nose? While it may seem impossible for most of us, an Indian man has broken his own world record by becoming the fastest person to type the alphabet with his nose. Updated:Jun 03, 2025, 06:20 PM IST Who is this man? 1 / 7 In this feature, we are talking about Vinod Kumar Chaudhary, a 44-year-old who worked as a computer operator at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He is also known as the 'Typing Man of India.' Three-Time Record Breaker 2 / 7 Vinod Kumar Chaudhary has now won the title of the fastest time to type the alphabet with the nose for the third time. He first bagged the title in 2023 with a time of 27.80 seconds, improved it to 26.73 seconds later that year, and in 2024, broke his own record again by completing it in just 25.66 seconds. Rules of the Record 3 / 7 According to Guinness World Records, the challenge required Chaudhary to type all 26 letters of the Roman alphabet on a standard QWERTY keyboard with a space between each letter, and with his hands tied behind his back. Earlier Records 4 / 7 Chaudhary has previously made records for: Fastest time to type the alphabet backward (single hand) Fastest time to type the alphabet with hands behind the back Fastest time to type using the nose (2024) Practiced for Hours 5 / 7 Despite being from a typing profession, breaking a world record wasn't easy. Vinod revealed that he practiced for hours, often pushing himself to the limit. He admitted that typing with his nose sometimes made him so dizzy he'd see stars. Secret to Breaking Records 6 / 7 According to Guinness World Records, Chaudhary credits daily meditation and a positive mindset as the secret behind his record-breaking streak. He says he always looks for unusual records that can be broken. Dreams to Break Sachin Tendulkar's Record 7 / 7 Vinod's next ambition? Breaking one of Sachin Tendulkar's records. He dreams of surpassing the cricket legend, who holds several titles- including the most Player-of-the-Match awards (62) and the most international centuries (100). (All images: Guiness World Record/ Instagram)
