Pope Paul I
Pope Paul I served as the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 757 to 767. He was the brother of Pope Stephen II and was educated for the priesthood alongside him. Paul's pontificate was largely defined by his complex relationships with the Frankish and Lombard kings, as well as the Eastern Roman emperor.
- Century
- 8th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›He was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from may 29, 757, to his death on June 28, 767.
- ›Paul was a Roman aristocrat and a member of the Orsini family.
- ›He succeeded his brother, Pope Stephen II, after prevailing over a faction that supported Archdeacon Theophylact.
- ›His reign was significantly shaped by his dealings with Pepin the Short of the Franks and Desiderius, the Lombard king.
- ›Paul feared the ambitions of the Eastern Roman emperor and worried about Frankish influence shifting towards the Lombards.
- ›Papal privileges were restored in the duchies of Benevento and Tuscany in 765.
About Pope Paul I
Pope Paul I (Latin: Paulus I; 700 – 28 June 767) served as the bishop of Rome and ruler of the emerging Papal States from May 29, 757, until his death on June 28, 767. He was a Roman aristocrat and a member of the Orsini family, educated for the priesthood at the Lateran Palace alongside his brother, Stephen, who later became Pope Stephen II.
Rise to Papacy
Paul I's ascent to the papacy followed the death of his brother, Pope Stephen II, on April 26, 757. He successfully prevailed over a faction that supported Archdeacon Theophylact, being chosen by the majority who desired a continuation of Stephen II's policies. This marked the second instance of brothers serving as pope in succession.
Pontificate and Diplomacy
Paul I's reign was significantly shaped by his diplomatic efforts and the geopolitical landscape of 8th-century Italy. His pontificate was dominated by relations with the Frankish king Pepin the Short, King Desiderius of the Lombards, and the Eastern Roman emperor. Paul I sought to maintain the Frankish alliance and was concerned about the threat posed by Desiderius, who controlled cities such as Imola, Osimo, Bologna, and Ancona, which were claimed by the papacy. The Lombards also seized upon the duchies of Spoleto and Benevento in 758.
Paul I engaged in complex negotiations with Pepin and Desiderius. Following a revolt in Benevento, Desiderius visited Rome and compelled Paul I to write to Pepin, requesting concessions for the Lombard claims. Paul I promised the return of Imola on the condition that Pepin would send back Lombard hostages. While Pepin initially maintained good relations with Desiderius, he later provided some support to the pope and acted as an arbiter between Roman and Lombard claims. By 765, papal privileges were restored in the duchies of Benevento and Tuscany, and partially in Spoleto.
Relations with the East
Meanwhile, the relationship between the papacy and the Eastern Roman Empire deteriorated. Paul I lived in constant dread of Eastern Roman ambitions, fearing that the emperor might send an army against Rome, which could shift Frankish influence towards the Lombards. However, Pepin the Short maintained his original policy regarding Italy.
Death
Pope Paul I died in Rome on June 28, 767, after a reign of just over ten years.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pope Paul I rule?
Pope Paul I served as the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from May 29, 757, until his death on June 28, 767.
Who was Pope Paul I's predecessor?
Pope Paul I succeeded his brother, Pope Stephen II, to the papacy in 757.
What were the main challenges during Pope Paul I's pontificate?
His pontificate was primarily occupied with relations with the Frankish and Lombard kings, particularly King Desiderius of the Lombards, and with the Eastern Roman emperor. He was concerned about Lombard territorial claims and the potential for Eastern Roman intervention.
What was Pope Paul I's family background?
Paul I was a Roman aristocrat and a member of the Orsini family. He and his brother Stephen had been educated for the priesthood at the Lateran Palace.
Did Pope Paul I have any success in his dealings with Lombard claims?
While he engaged in complex negotiations, promising to return Imola on condition of receiving Lombard hostages, his 'double-dealing' apparently accomplished little initially. However, later Pepin the Short provided some support and acted as an arbiter between Roman and Lombard claims, and papal privileges were restored in certain duchies in 765.
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