Benedict Sabellus (abt. 635 - 685)

Born about 0635 in Rome, Byzantine Empire

Died 8 May 0685 at about age 50 in Rome, Byzantine Empire

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Biography

Pope Benedict II Sabellus is Notable.

Born in Rome, Benedict attended the schola cantorum.^[1]

Benedict II was pope from 26 June 684 until his death on 8 May 685 aged 50. He was buried in St Peter's basilica.^[2][3]

Flocknote Popes in a Year ^[4] tells us:

Pope from June 26, 684 - May 8, 685

Died: May 8, 685

Given name: Benedictus Sabellus

Benedict II, a Roman by birth, was educated from a young age and served the Church for most of his life. His defining qualities as a young man included a vast knowledge of Scripture and a great singing voice, and his contemporaries loved him as both priest and pope for his generosity, commitment to the poor, and his humble nature. Though little is known now about Benedict II’s life, these qualities alone led to him being venerated as a saint. Pretty impressive. Benedict II, like Leo II before him, reigned for less than a year and died on May 8, 685 at the age of 50.

Pope St. Benedict II is known for securing a big win for the Church in the form of abolishing the need for emperors to confirm papal elections. See, Benedict was chosen to succeed Leo II in 683, but wasn’t able to take office until mid-684, thanks to a rule that required approval from the emperor before consecration could take place. And this, remember, came after Leo II took two years to be confirmed under the same rules.

Once in office, Benedict was probably thinking, “Popes don’t have time for this,” and was thus motivated to work out a deal with the East, substantially cutting the time it took between election and consecration for future popes.

Benedict II was the third pope in a row who’s now recognized as a saint. And yet, only 1 out of the next seven pontiffs carries the halo.

At this time, in 684, Halley’s Comet (yes, that Halley’s Comet) was observed in Japan. It’s currently Japan’s oldest recorded observation of that particular comet.

Research Notes

This profile is being updated by the Popes Project.

Sources

1. ↑ [https://www.bartleby.com/210/5/072.html Butler, Alban The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
2. ↑ Vatican
3. ↑ Wikipedia
4. ↑ Flocknote Popes in a Year
   SOURCES (and further reading)
   John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
   Pope St. Benedict II - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02427d.htm
   Pope Benedict II - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_II
   684 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/684