The 142nd Pope
Sergius IV
Pope Sergius IV (1009–1012) – The name of the Apostle Peter was held as sacrosanct by the newly elected popes. Pope Sergius was the second pope to change his baptismal name, Peter, out of respect to the first pope. Pope Sergius continued the work of his predecessor in enhancing the status of the Archdiocese of Merseburg and the new diocese in Bavaria. The powerful Crescentii family influenced the election of Pope Sergius. This is noteworthy because a riot in Rome occurred incited, perhaps, by the rival Tusculan family, resulting in the disappearance and, it is believed, murder of both the head of the Crescentii family and the pope. Once again, political intrigue wreaks havoc upon the papacy.
Pope Segius IV was buried in the basilica of Saint John Lateran.
Habemus papam