Pope Sergius III

Who was Pope Sergius III?

Pope Sergius III was the head of the Catholic Church from 29 January 904 to his death in 911. He was pope during a period of feudal violence and disorder in central Italy, when the Papacy was a pawn of warring aristocratic factions. Because Sergius III had reputedly ordered the murder of his two immediate predecessors, Leo V and Christopher, and was the only pope to have allegedly fathered an illegitimate son who later became pope, his pontificate has been described as "dismal and disgraceful". He is the first Pope to be depicted wearing the papal tiara.