BENEDICT is the name of fourteen popes. Of these only the following are histor ically important enough to deserve special mention.—I3EximicT VIII., son of count Gregory of Tuseoli, was elected iu 1013; but was driven from Rome by the anti-pope Gregory. In 1014, he was restored to the papal chair by the emperor Henry II., and afterwards defeated the Saracens, and took from them, with the help of the Pisans and Genoese, the island of Sardinia; and also various places iu Apulia from the Greeks, by the help of Henry. He distinguished himself as a reformer of the clergy, rind inter dicted. at the synod of Pavia, both clerical marriage and concubinage. Ile died in 1024. —BENEDICT IX.. a nephew of the preceding, was elected pope at the age of 18, in 1033; but in 1038, the Romans rose in indignation. and banished him on account of his almost unexampled licentiousness. He was reinstalled by Conrad II. ; again formally deposed by the consul Ptolemtens, who set up Sylvester III. in his place; and after three mouths, was once more installed as pope l.y- means of bribery. By a new simoniacal compact, John Grntianus was declared pope under the name of VI. The emperor Fleury Ill., to remove such gross scandals from the church, deposed all the three popes—B., Sylvester. and Gregor v,..and caused Suidger. bishop of Bamberg, to be elected as Clem ent II.; hut on his death, in 1047, the deposed B. IX. again corruptly regained the papal see, and held it eight months, until 1049. when he was displaced. first by Damasus and afterwards by Leo IX. Ile died in the convent of Grotta Fermis in 103(i. BENEDICT XIII., 1794-30, was a learned and well-disposed man, of simple habits and pure morals. though rather strict in his notions of the papal prerogative. He unfortu nately yielded himself to the guidance of cardinal Coscia, a a:reedy, unscrupulous per sonage, who greatly abused the confidence reposed in him. 13. always exhibited great moderation iu politics, hnd an honorable love of peace, and was instrumental in bringing about the Seville treaty of 17•9. During this pontificate. a remarkably large number of
saints, chiefly from the monastic were added to the calendar.—BENEnicT XIV. iPitosrsmo LANIBEIITINI), the most worthy to be remembered of all the pontiffs so named, was born at Bologna in 1675. Before his elevation, he had distinguished him self by extensive learning. and by ability in the several offices of promotor fidei, bishop of Ancona 07271 cardinal (1728), and archbishop of Bolog.na (1732). Succeeding Clem ent XII.. he began his pontificate, in 1740.with several wise and conciliatory measures; founded chairs of physic,' chemistry, and mathematics in Rome; rcvired the academy of Bologna, and instituted others; dug out the obelisk in the Campus Martius, constructed fountains. rebnilt churches; caused the best English and French books to he translated into Italian; and in many other ways encouraged literature and science. His piety was sincere. enlightened. and tolerant, and his doctrines were well exemplified in his prac tice. Ile was extremely anxious that the morals of the clergy should be untainted; and, to that effect, established a board of examiners for all candidates to vacant sees. In proof of his toleration, lie showed the frankest kindness to all strangers visiting his capi tal. whatever the nature of their religious opinions. The only accusation brought against him by his Roman subjects was. "that he wrote and studied too much, but ruled too little." or left affairs of business too much in the hands of the cardinal Valentine. After a painful illness, 13. XIV. died May 3, 1758.—Ilis most important works are that On the Diocesan Synod; .On the Sacrifice the MMVS; and Ott the. Beatification and Canonization of Saints. A. COMp!ete edition of his writings was published under the care of the Jesuit de Azevedo (12 vols., 1747-51), and in 16 vols. (1777).