Editing Pope Benedict VIII (section)

==Pontificate==
Benedict VIII was opposed by an [[antipope]], [[Antipope Gregory VI|Gregory VI]], who compelled him to flee Rome.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mosheim|first1=Johann Lorenz|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EIEPAAAAIAAJ|title=Institutes of Ecclesiastical History Ancient and Modern, Vol. II|last2=Murdock|first2=James|publisher=A. H. Maltby |edition=5th|year=1867|pages=356}}</ref> He was restored by King [[Henry II of Germany]], whom he [[coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor|crowned emperor]] on 14 February 1014. He remained on good terms with Henry for his entire pontificate.<ref>{{cite book |first=Peter |last=Lasko |title=Ars Sacra: 800–1200 |publisher=Yale University Press |year=1994 |page=111 |isbn=978-0300060485 }}</ref> In Benedict VIII's pontificate, the [[Saracen]]s renewed their attacks on the southern coasts of Italy. They affected a settlement in [[Sardinia]] and sacked [[Pisa]].<ref>{{cite book |first1=Ferdinand |last1=Gregorovius |first2=Annie |last2=Hamilton |title=History of the City of Rome in the Middle Ages |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2010 |page=25 }}</ref> The [[Normans]] also then began to settle in Italy. The Pope promoted peace in Italy by allying himself with the Normans, orchestrating the [[Pisan–Genoese expeditions to Sardinia|defeat of the Saracens in Sardinia]]<ref>{{cite book |first=Roger |last=Collins |title=Caliphs and Kings: Spain 796–1031 |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |year=2012 |page=201 |isbn=9780631181842 }}</ref> and subjugating the [[Crescentii]]. In 1022, he held a [[synod]] at [[Pavia]] with the Emperor to restrain [[simony]] and [[incontinence (philosophy)|incontinence of the clergy]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Williston |last=Walker |title=A History of the Christian Church |publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons |year=1921 |page=218 }}</ref> The reformation sponsored by [[Cluny Abbey]] was supported by him, and he was a friend of its abbot, [[Odilo of Cluny|St. Odilo]].

In 1020, Benedict VIII travelled to Germany to confer with Henry II about the renewed [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] menace in the [[Mezzogiorno]]. Arriving at [[Bamberg]] at Eastertide, he consecrated the new cathedral there, obtained a charter from Henry II confirming the donations of [[Charlemagne]] and [[Otto the Great]], and visited the [[monastery of Fulda]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Knud |last=Ottosen |title=The Responsories and Versicles of the Latin Office of the Dead |publisher=Books on Demand |year=2008 |page=263 }}</ref> In 1022, Benedict received Archbishop [[Æthelnoth of Canterbury]], who had traveled to Rome to obtain the [[pallium]].<ref name=Ortenberg49>Ortenberg "Anglo-Saxon Church and the Papacy" ''English Church and the Papacy'' p. 49</ref>

To further the interest of peace, Benedict VIII encouraged the [[Truce of God]].<ref name=Mann>{{Catholic |last=Mann |first=Horace |wstitle=Pope Benedict VIII |volume=2 |inline=1 |prescript=}}</ref> He convinced the Holy Roman emperor to lead an expedition into the south of Italy and subordinate his vassals who had defected to Byzantine authority. Horace Mann considered him "...one of the few popes of the Middle Ages who was at once powerful at home and great abroad." He was succeeded by his brother, [[John XIX]].<ref name=Mann/>