Editing Pope Valentine (section)

==Career==
Born in Rome in the region of the [[14 regions of Medieval Rome#II Trivii et Vie Late|Via Lata]], Valentine was the son of a [[Rome|Roman]] noble called Leontius.<ref>Mann, pgs. 183–184</ref> Showing an early aptitude for learning, he was moved from the school attached to the [[Lateran Palace]] and, according to the ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'', was made a [[deacon]] by [[Pope Paschal I]] (817–824).<ref>Mann, pg. 184</ref> His biographer in the ''Liber Pontificalis'' praises his piety and purity of morals, which won him the favor of Paschal I, who raised him to the rank of [[archdeacon]].<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15254b.htm Kirsch, Johann Peter. "Pope Valentine." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 20 September 2017</ref> He also was clearly favoured by Paschal's successor, [[Eugene II]], to the point where rumours were circulated that Valentine was really Eugene's son. According to Louis-Marie DeCormenin, other rumours declared that Valentine and Eugene were involved in an illicit relationship.<ref>DeCormenin, pgs. 217–218</ref>
[[File:A history of mediaeval and modern Europe for secondary schools (1914) (14597922217).jpg|thumb|The [[Lateran Palace]] as it looked in the 14th century; it had not changed significantly since the 9th.]]
With the death of Eugene II, Valentine was [[Papal selection before 1059|acclaimed as pope]] by the Roman clergy, nobility and people. They took him from the [[Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore]] and installed him in the [[Lateran Palace]], ignoring his protests. In their haste, they enthroned him before he was [[ordained]] a priest. This was an unusual reversal of the normal proceedings, and in fact was the first time it had happened in the recorded history of the [[papacy]], although it would be repeated during the pontificate of [[Pope Benedict III|Benedict III]].<ref>Mann, pgs. 184–185</ref> On the following Sunday, he was formally [[consecrated bishop]] at [[St. Peter's Basilica]]. There were no imperial representatives present during the election, and Valentine had no opportunity to ratify his election with the [[Carolingian emperor]], as he was dead within five weeks, dying on 10 October 827.<ref>Mann, pgs. 185–186</ref><ref>DeCormenin, pg. 218</ref>