Gregory IV [827-844] Son of a noble family and priest in Rome. He got involved in the royal affairs of Louis the Pious and his sons, trying to reconcile them, but it went very poorly. In the Treaty of Verdun (843), the Empire was divided: - Charles the Bald took Neustria and Aquitaine, which would eventually become France. - Louis the German took Austrasia and Germania, the future Germany. - Lothair retained the Kingdom of Italy. This division allowed Roman aristocrats to interfere in ecclesiastical matters. In theological matters, he created a protocol for canonization procedures and established the Feast of All Saints. To reinforce this, he ordered the history of the saints to be depicted through art in buildings.

Sergius II [844-847] From a noble family, he had full support from the aristocrats, while the people preferred Archdeacon John. To avoid a coup, he exiled John. Sergius was consecrated, bypassing the Constitutio Lotharii. A year later, he obtained approval. His brother Benedict, the Bishop, wielded the true power. Corrupt and disorganized, he faced a Saracen invasion of Rome, which led to the looting of the Basilica of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. He died shortly after the raid.

Leo IV [847-855] To prevent another raid, he ordered fortifications for Saint Peter's Basilica and nearby areas, organized coastal defenses, and in 849 won a victory at Ostia. This Pope appears in the fourth season of Vikings. Also, during this time, the legend of Pope Joan began to circulate¹.

Benedict III [855-858] This Pope was problematic. First, he was forcibly removed from San Callisto. Second, he was an ascetic and scholar. Emperor Louis II wanted his candidate Anastasius in power, pressuring the Roman curia to make Anastasius Pope. Benedict was taken prisoner, but neither the clergy nor the people supported the imperial mission, and they were forced to yield. Afterward, Anastasius was excommunicated. This interference marked the beginning of the decay of the Constitutio Lotharii.

Nicholas I [858-867] Deacon to Leo IV [103], he was respected for his ecclesial commitment. This Pope was a strong leader, defending the Church's autonomy from imperial power and strengthening the role of Rome, asserting that it stood above civil service. The breaking point was when Lothair sought to divorce Theutberga to marry Waldrada. The French clergy approved the divorce, but Lothair, informed, threatened excommunication for the archbishops of Cologne and Trier, declaring the divorce null. Boris I of Bulgaria sought the Pope’s help in evangelizing but was in delicate territory due to Orthodox ritualism. He made efforts to place papal legates in all European courts to intervene in ecclesiastical judicial matters.

Adrian II [867-872] His election faced doubts; he was 80 years old when ascending. He received Cyril and Methodius, who sought support to evangelize in their native Slavic language. Adrian approved this, breaking the liturgical tradition of only using Latin, Greek, or Hebrew, and consecrated Methodius as Bishop of Pannonia. He convened the Eighth Ecumenical Council to address the issues arising with Photius. These disputes would lay the foundation for the future schism between the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Anastasius, who had tried to depose Benedict III [104], killed his wife and daughter, who lived in the Lateran Palace.

John VIII [872-882] Archdeacon of Rome before his election, he was energetic and never left Rome out of fear of Saracen invasion. He repeatedly sought help from Charles the Bald, whom he crowned Emperor of France. With no assistance from any emperor, he called on the Christian people to defend ecclesiastical life. He was assassinated by a blow to the head with a hammer.

Marinus [882-884] An administrative official before becoming Pope, he intervened in the transfer of bishops, which involved dubious promotions and un-Christian practices. In 883, Montecassino was invaded by Saracens who killed monks.

Adrian III [884-885] Issued a decree breaking the Constitutio Lotharii and responded to Charles the Fat's request to intervene in the Diet of Worms but died on his way to France. After the burial rites, his tomb was opened, and his clothes were looted.

Stephen V [885-891] Elected unanimously. Here’s the map of the Carolingian Empire: Charles the Fat fragmented the empire, leaving France with King Odo, Germany with Arnulf, and Italy with Guy of Spoleto. Charles the Fat died, sparking chaos for the imperial crown. Added to this were Viking invasions in the north. With this Pope, what is called the Papal Night begins.