Editing Pope Leo VIII (section)

==Struggle for papacy==

By the time Otto entered Rome to depose [[Pope John XII]], Leo had been appointed protonotary to the [[Apostolic See]].<ref>Mann, pgs. 260 & 280</ref> A [[Synod of Rome (963)|synod]] convened by the emperor uncanonically deposed John XII (who had fled to [[Tibur]]). It proceeded to elect Leo VIII, who was the emperor's nominee, as [[pope]] on 4 December 963. Since Leo was still a layman,<ref>Mann, pgs. 260–261</ref> he was [[ordained]] as [[ostiarius]], [[Reader (liturgy)|lector]], [[acolyte]], [[subdeacon]], [[deacon]] and [[priest]] in the space of a day by Sico, the cardinal-bishop of Ostia, who then proceeded to consecrate him as [[bishop]] on 6 December 963.<ref>Gregorovius, pg. 348</ref> The deposed John, however, still had a large body of sympathisers within Rome; he offered large bribes to the Roman nobility if they would rise up and overthrow Otto and kill Leo, and so, in early January 964, the Roman people staged an uprising that was quickly put down by Otto's troops. Leo, hoping to reach out to the Roman nobility, persuaded Otto to release the hostages he had taken from the leading Roman families in exchange for their continued good behaviour.<ref>Gregorovius, pg. 349</ref> However, once Otto left Rome around 12 January 964, the Romans again rebelled, and caused Leo to flee Rome and take refuge with Otto sometime in February 964.<ref>Mann, pg. 262</ref>

John XII returned, and in February convened a [[Synod of Rome (964)|synod]] which in turn deposed Leo on 26 February 964, with John [[excommunicating]] Leo in the process.<ref>Gregorovius, pgs. 350–351</ref> Leo remained with Otto, and, with the death of John XII in May 964, the Romans elected [[Benedict V]]. Otto proceeded to besiege Rome, taking Leo with him, and when the Romans eventually surrendered to Otto, Leo was reinstalled in the [[Lateran Palace]] as Pope.

The former pope was brought before Leo with Benedict's clerical and lay supporters and clad in his pontifical robes. Benedict was asked how he dared to assume the chair of [[Saint Peter]] while Leo was still alive. Benedict responded, "If I have sinned, have mercy on me."<ref>Gregorovius, pg. 354</ref> Having received a promise from the emperor that his life would be spared if he submitted, Benedict threw himself at Leo's feet and acknowledged his guilt.<ref>Mann, pgs. 275-6</ref> Brought before a [[Lateran Council (964)|synod]] convened by Leo, Benedict's [[episcopal ordination]] was revoked, his [[pallium]] was torn from him, and his pastoral staff was broken over him by Leo. However, through the intercession of Otto, Benedict was allowed to retain the rank of [[deacon]].<ref>Mann, pg. 276</ref> Then, after having the Roman nobility swear an oath over the Tomb of [[Saint Peter]] to obey and be faithful to Leo, Otto departed Rome in late June 964.{{sfn|McBrien|2000|p=159}}