Pope Damasus I

Lore & Background

Born into an ancient Bavarian House of Babonen, Poppo was a younger son of Count Poppo II von Rott. He became the Bishop of Brixen in Tyrol in 1040, upon nomination by King Henry III, and was already consecrated by 16 January 1040. Poppo was also a key advisor to King Henry III of Germany and travelled with him to Italy for his imperial coronation in 1046. Upon the death of Clement II, envoys from Rome were sent to the emperor to ascertain who should be named pope. Henry named the bishop of Brixen, Poppo de' Curagnoni. While the envoys were away, the former pope Benedict IX reasserted himself and with the assistance of the disaffected Margrave Boniface III of Tuscany once again assumed the papacy. Henry ordered Boniface to escort Poppo to Rome, but Boniface declined, pointing out that the Romans had already enthroned Benedict. Enraged, the emperor ordered the margrave to depose Benedict or suffer the consequences. Poppo became pope in mid-July but died less than a month later, in Palestrina. Rumors circulated that he had been poisoned, allegedly by a man named Gerhard Brazutus, a friend of Benedict IX and a follower of Hildebrand. However, the source for this information is suspect. A modern conjecture is that he died of malaria. Pope Damasus II was buried in San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, according to Onuphrio Panvinio, the 16th century 'scriptor' in the Vatican Library. The sarcophagus in which Damasus' body had been placed, and which was moved at least twice, was large and 'adorned with reliefs representing a vineyard, with cupids as the wine gatherers.'

Reader's Guide

Pope Damasus II is significant as the second German pope nominated by Emperor Henry III, and for having one of the shortest papal reigns—only 23 days, from 17 July 1048 to 9 August 1048. His election followed the death of Clement II, when Roman envoys sought Henry's nomination. Henry chose Poppo, bishop of Brixen, over the Romans' preferred candidate, Halinard of Lyon. The former pope Benedict IX, with help from Margrave Boniface III of Tuscany, reclaimed the papacy during the envoys' absence. Henry forced Boniface to expel Benedict, and Poppo was enthroned at the Lateran on 17 July 1048. His brief pontificate ended with his death in Palestrina, possibly from malaria. He was buried in San Lorenzo fuori le Mura in a sarcophagus adorned with reliefs of a vineyard and cupids as wine gatherers.

Did You Know?

• Pope Damasus II reigned for only 23 days, from 17 July 1048 to 9 August 1048.
• He was the third German to become pope.
• His sarcophagus was adorned with reliefs of a vineyard and cupids as wine gatherers.
• A modern conjecture suggests he died of malaria.
• Rumors that he was poisoned by a friend of Benedict IX are considered suspect by the source.