Pope Gregory V

Reign: 996 – 999
Life: 972–999

972 to 18 February 999), born Bruno of Carinthia, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 3 May 996 to his death. Papal election Bruno was the chaplain of his cousin, Emperor Otto III , who presented him as a candidate and arranged his election. Following Otto's return to Germany, Gregory was forced to flee Rome, after the election of antipope John XVI , whom Crescentius II and the nobles of Rome had chosen against the will of Otto III. Policies Politically, Gregory acted consistently as the Emperor's representative in Rome and granted many exceptional privileges to monasteries within the Holy Roman Empire .

During Pope Gregory V's reign, Olof Skötkonung ruled Sweden, Otto III ruled Holy Roman Empire, and Æthelred the Unready ruled England.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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Go deeper on Pope Gregory V

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Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy

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