On May 25 the Catholic Church celebrates Pope St. Gregory VII, who sought to reform the Church and secure its freedom against the intrusion of civil rulers during his 11th century pontificate.

He was headed for the village of Canossa in northern Italy, on a mission to win forgiveness from Pope Gregory VII. A few months earlier, Gregory had excommunicated Henry over a power struggle ...

Pope Gregory VII (1073-85) restricted its use to the Bishop of Rome. The Bishop of Rome also is Patriarch of the West and “Servant of the Servants of […] Skip to content.

Papal Profile: Pope Saint Gregory VII - The Mad Monarchist. If Everyone in the World were Catholic . . . - Anthony S. Layne, Outside the Asylum.