Gregory VII

Who they were

Hildebrand was born between 1020 and 1025 in Tuscany, of humble origin, and educated at the monastery of Santa Maria on the Aventine, where the austere spirit of Cluny reigned; he became a Benedictine monk in Rome. He served Pope Gregory VI and followed him into exile in 1046, then served Leo IX as cardinal-subdeacon and administrator of the Holy See's property, restoring the ruined abbey of St Paul Outside the Walls.

He was the trusted adviser of the popes who followed, and in 1073 was himself elected as Gregory VII. He became the most fearless champion of Church reform, fighting simony and the lay control of Church appointments in the long struggle with the emperor Henry IV, who knelt as a penitent before him at Canossa in 1077. Driven from Rome, he died in exile at Salerno on 25 May 1085, saying: 'I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile.'

The miracles

The miracles examined for his causes are not described in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

Gregory VII gave his life to freeing the Church from the control of princes and purifying its clergy, and accepted exile rather than yield.

Connected on this site

• Altmann of Passau Saint
  “Altmann was born at Paderborn early in the eleventh century, headed its school, was chaplain at the court of Henry III, and became Bishop of Passau and papal legate, a friend of Pope Gregory VII.” — this site's research
• Anselm of Lucca Saint
  “Pope Gregory VII ordered him back to his diocese.” — this site's research
• Peter Igneus Saint
  “He became abbot and in 1074 Cardinal-Bishop of Albano, serving Pope Gregory VII as legate.” — this site's research
• Robert of Molesme Saint
  “In 1074, at Pope Gregory VII's request, he led a band of hermits and founded the monastery of Molesme.” — this site's research
• Saint Simon de Valois Saint
  “A marriage with Adela was within the prohibited degree of consanguinity and Simon went to Rome to meet with Pope Gregory VII, perhaps to arrange a dispensation.” — Wikipedia
• Urban II Blessed
  “Otho of Lagery studied under St Bruno at Reims, became a monk of Cluny under St Hugh, and was sent to help Gregory VII reform the Church; he became Cardinal Bishop of Ostia and the pope's chief helper.” — this site's research
• Victor III Blessed
  “He was the successor of Pope Gregory VII.” — Wikipedia