Pope Benedict IV
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Benedict IV was pope from ca. 900-903. He was the son of Mammalus, a native of Rome. The 10th century historian Frodoard commended his noble birth and public generosity. Benedict upheld the ordinances of Pope Formosus, whose rotting corpse was exhumed by Pope Stephen VII and put on trial in the infamous "Cadaver Synod" of 897. In 901, when the Carolingian emperors disappeared, Benedict could follow the example of Pope Leo III and crown Louis of Provence. In his reign, he crowned Louis the Blind as Holy Roman Emperor and excommunicated Baldwin II of Flanders, for murdering Fulk, Archbishop of Reims. He died in the summer of 903 and was buried in front of St. Peter's by the gate of Guido. He succeeded Pope John IX and was followed by Pope Leo V.
| Preceded by: John IX | Pope 900–903 | Succeeded by: Leo V |