Lando
Lando, also known as Landus, served as pope from 913 to 914 during the turbulent Saeculum obscurum period. His short pontificate was heavily influenced by the powerful Roman family of Count Theophylact I and Senatrix Theodora. Despite his brief reign, Lando is noted as the last pope to use a previously unused papal name until John Paul I and the last with a unique name until Francis.
Key Facts
- ›Born in Sabina, Papal States, to a wealthy Lombard count.
- ›Pontificate occurred during the Saeculum obscurum (904-964).
- ›His reign was influenced by Count Theophylact I and Senatrix Theodora.
- ›Arab raiders destroyed the cathedral of San Salvatore in Vescovio during his papacy.
- ›Made a personal donation to restore San Salvatore cathedral.
- ›The last pope to use a unique papal name until John Paul I (1978) and the last without a regnal number until Francis (2013).
Landus
- Donation To the Diocese of Sabina To Restore San Salvatore Cathedral.
Count Theophylact I of Tusculum, Senatrix Theodora, Saeculum Obscurum, Arab Raiders, Garigliano River, San Salvatore In Vescovio
About Lando
Pope Lando
Lando, also known by the name Landus, served as the pope for a brief period from 913 until his death in 914. His pontificate occurred during a tumultuous and poorly documented era in papal and Roman history known as the Saeculum obscurum, which spanned from 904 to 964. This period was characterized by significant political intrigue and the influence of powerful Roman families over the papacy.
Life and Historical Context
According to the Liber pontificalis, Lando was born in the Sabina region, which was part of the Papal States. His father was identified as Taino, a wealthy Lombard count from Fornovo. Lando's papacy is estimated to have begun as early as July or as late as November 913. Contemporary accounts vary on the exact length of his pontificate, with the Liber pontificalis suggesting around four months and twenty-two days, while other sources indicate durations closer to six months.
Lando is thought to have been chosen as pope through the influence of Count Theophylact I of Tusculum and his wife, Senatrix Theodora. This powerful couple held considerable sway in Rome, controlling papal finances through their monopoly of the office of vestararius, as well as the Roman militia and Senate.
Major Actions and Events
No documents from Lando's papal chancery have survived. The primary recorded act of his reign is a donation made to the diocese of Sabina, mentioned in a judicial act from 1431. Lando personally provided funds to restore the cathedral of San Salvatore in Vescovio, enabling the clergy living at Toffia to return to their seats. During his pontificate, Arab raiders, operating from their base on the Garigliano river, devastated the cathedral of San Salvatore in Lando's native diocese.
Legacy
Lando is historically notable for being the last pope to adopt a papal name that had not been used before until Pope John Paul I in 1978. He was also the last pope to have a unique name that did not require a regnal number until Pope Francis in 2013. His short papacy, set against the backdrop of the Saeculum obscurum, highlights the complex political landscape that shaped the papacy during the early medieval period.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lando pope?
Lando served as pope from 913 until his death in 914. His papacy fell during an obscure period in papal history known as the Saeculum obscurum.
Where was Pope Lando from?
According to the Liber pontificalis, Lando was born in the Sabina region of the Papal States. His father was a wealthy Lombard count named Taino.
Who were the powerful figures during Pope Lando's reign?
Lando is believed to have been the candidate of Count Theophylact I of Tusculum and Senatrix Theodora, who were the most powerful couple in Rome at the time and controlled papal finances and Roman politics.
What significant events occurred during Lando's papacy?
During Lando's reign, Arab raiders destroyed the cathedral of San Salvatore in Vescovio in his native diocese. He also made a significant personal donation to restore this cathedral.
What is Pope Lando's significance regarding papal names?
Lando holds the distinction of being the last pope to have a papal name never used before until Pope John Paul I in 1978. He was also the last pope to have a unique name requiring no regnal number until Pope Francis in 2013.
Related Popes
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Anastasius III
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Benedict IV
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