7 history-changing Pope Leos
3. Pope Leo VIII (c.915-965)
Pope Leo VIII technically came to power in 963, succeeding the brief and scandal-ridden papacy of John XII, and ruled in a disputed fashion until his death a couple of years later.
John XII’s loss of power was driven by the political efforts of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, with the ousted bishop of Rome attempting to regain control of the papacy until his death in 964.
Additionally, while Otto might have supported Leo VIII’s claim, Catholic Church officials in Rome opted to elect a different figure, Pope Benedict V, to serve as pontiff instead of Leo.
In response to the decision to elect Benedict, Otto returned to Rome and forced the Catholic Church to accept Leo as the true pontiff. Nevertheless, because of his disputed status, many regarded Leo VIII as an “antipope,” and the extent of his authority remains disputed among some today.
