Theophylactus was installed as pope in 1032. His reign began at the age of eighteen, yet some historians believe that he began his reign even earlier, at the age of twelve. Though his exact age when he was pope, it is sure that he was not fairly placed into the papacy. With the right connections and his family’s fortune, he was able to make his way as pope. His family ‘enrolled’ him into the papacy when their rivals ruled Rome. Theophylactus hastily went through ordination after his election to become Pope Benedict IX. Although he was installed as pope, he was deposed twice throughout his reign, reigning from 1033-1045; 1047-1048. The people were extremely unhappy at the state of the papacy at the time, but with his connections and wealth, Pope Benedict IX was always able to make his way back into the papacy. Throughout his on and off reign, his …show more content…
He recklessly spent the papacy’s finances and morals. Not only did he squander the financial affairs, but according to Bertrand Russel, a famous philosopher, his brutality would shock even the Romans, which shows the immensity of his violence. The Roman people eventually took drove him out of his position as pope in 1044, and installed Sylvester II. He sold the position as pope for some gold, so that he could marry; he was the first pope Benedict to step down from the role of pope. Unfortunately, a year later he regained his position as pope. St. Damien recounted Pope Benedict IX as, “feasting on immorality" and "a demon from hell in the disguise of a priest". Benedict regained the papacy in the following year and sold it a month later to John Gratian, who became Gregory VI. Benedict did not leave without his own personal gain. Gratian paid a very large sum to get rid of this offensive pope. Retirement was not as