Editing Pope Benedict III (section)

==Pontificate==
[[File:SMsM Cap Domenico P Bracci Die Reinheit.jpg|thumb|Monument to Benedict III in [[Santa Maria sopra Minerva]]]]
Benedict III was [[Papal selection before 1059|elected]] upon the refusal of Adrian, the initial choice of the [[Catholic clergy|clergy]] and people. Arsenius, [[bishop of Orte]], intercepted the legates sent to advise the emperor of the election and persuaded them to betray Benedict and convince the emperor name the bishop's nephew [[Antipope Anastasius|Anastasius]] instead. Anastasius had previously been excommunicated by Leo IV. The legates returned with the imperial envoys and had Benedict's election disavowed and Anastasius installed. Anastasius took his place at the Lateran and Benedict was imprisoned. However, local popular opinion was so strong that the Franks recognized Benedict's consecration. Benedict treated Anastasius and his adherents leniently.<ref name=Brusher>Brusher S.J., Joseph S., "Benedict III", ''Popes Through the Ages'', Neff-Kane; 3rd edition (1980, {{ISBN|978-0891411109}}{{Page needed|date=May 2019}}</ref> The schism helped to weaken the hold of the emperors upon the popes, especially upon their elections.

Benedict intervened in the conflict between [[Lothair II of Lotharingia]], [[Louis II of Italy]], and [[Charles of Provence]] on the death of their father, Emperor [[Lothair I]]. He wrote to the Frankish bishops, rebuking them for remaining silent in the face of the disorder affecting the Carolingian realms.<ref name=Brusher/>

[[Æthelwulf of Wessex]] and his son, the future king [[Alfred the Great]], visited Rome in Benedict's reign. The Schola Anglorum, which was destroyed by fire in 847, was restored by Benedict.<ref name=ce />

A medieval tradition claimed that [[Pope Joan]], a woman disguised as a man, was Benedict's immediate predecessor. The legendary Joan is generally believed to be fictitious.