# Pope Benedict IV

_Pope_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/pope-benedict-iv
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Pope Benedict IV (Latin: Benedictus IV; c. 840 – 30 July 903) was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 1 February 900 to his death in July 903.  The tenth-century historian Flodoard, who nicknamed him "the Great", commended his noble birth and public generosity.

## Quick facts

- **Place of birth:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182463#P19))
- **Died:** July 903 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182463#P570))
- **Place of death:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182463#P20))
- **Occupation:** Catholic priest; writer; Catholic bishop ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182463#P106))
- **Positions held:** Pope (0900–0903) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182463#P39))

## About

Benedict was a native of Rome, the son of one Mammalus, and was ordained priest by Pope Formosus. He succeeded Pope John IX. In 900, he excommunicated Count Baldwin II of Flanders for murdering Archbishop Fulk of Reims. In 901, Benedict crowned Louis the Blind as emperor. In 902, Berengar of Friuli defeated Louis III and forced him to leave Italy. Benedict died in Rome during the summer of 903; it is possible that Berengar had some involvement. Benedict was buried in front of St Peter's Basilica, by the gate of Guido. He was followed by Pope Leo V.

## Questions

**What positions has Pope Benedict IV held?**  
Positions held by Pope Benedict IV include: Pope (0900–0903).

## Related

- [Pope Telesphorus](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-telesphorus)
- [Pope Gregory XIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xiii)
- [Pope Clement VII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-clement-vii)
- [Pope Pius I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-pius-i)
- [Pope Boniface I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-boniface-i)
- [Pope Agapetus I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-agapetus-i)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Pope Benedict IV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_IV) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q182463](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182463) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Pope Benedict IV Illustration.jpg by Artaud de Montor (1772–1849) (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pope_Benedict_IV_Illustration.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Pope Benedict IV, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Pope Benedict IV Illustration.jpg — Artaud de Montor (1772–1849), Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Pope Benedict IV". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-benedict-iv. Retrieved 4 November 2026.