Saint Gregory VII, Pope

Hildebrand was born in Tuscany about 1020 and served several popes as adviser and legate before being elected himself in 1073, taking the name Gregory. He led the reform that bears his name, against the buying of church offices and against married clergy, and above all against rulers appointing bishops.

This brought him into conflict with the German king Henry IV. Gregory excommunicated him, and in January 1077 Henry came to the castle of Canossa and stood for three days in the snow, as a penitent, until he was absolved. The struggle resumed; in 1084 Henry took Rome, and the Normans who came to rescue the pope sacked the city. Gregory died in exile at Salerno on 25 May 1085. His last words were, by tradition, “I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile.”