Pope Victor III
Pope Blessed Victor III | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
Desiderius of Montecassino in a contemporary manuscript | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 24 May 1086 |
| Papacy ended | 16 September 1087 |
| Predecessor | Gregory VII |
| Successor | Urban II |
| Previous posts |
|
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 9 May 1087 by Otho de Lagery |
| Created cardinal | 6 March 1058 by Pope Nicholas II |
| Rank | Cardinal Deacon (1058 - 1059) Cardinal Priest (1059 - 1086) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dauferio Epifani Del Zotto c. 1026 |
| Died | 16 September 1087 (aged c. 61) |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day |
|
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 23 July 1887 Rome, Kingdom of Italy by Pope Leo XIII |
| Attributes | |
| Patronage | |
| Other popes named Victor | |
Pope Victor III (c. 1026 – 16 September 1087), born Dauferio Epifani Del Zotto, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 24 May 1086 to his death. He was the successor of Pope Gregory VII. Prior to becoming pope he had held the important post of abbot of the great monastery of Montecassino, under his monastic name of Desiderius and during those years played a historically important role.
He is the most recent lawfully elected pope to have taken the pontifical name "Victor".
In contrast with his early public life, as Pope Victor, as he had become, he made a less significant contribution. His failing health was the chief factor that made him so reluctant to accept election as pope and that his health was in fact seriously impaired was clear when he fell ill during the ceremony of his coronation as pope.