THIS DAY IN CHURCH HISTORY
Historical Events in Church Annals for September 1:
827 A.D.
Pope Valentine is elected as the 100th successor of Peter. This Roman-born pontiff was beloved by the people, the nobles, and the clergy for his goodness and charity. The beginning of his very brief pontificate was greeted by manifestations of great joy as an indication of his well-known pious character, but alas he would only live 16 days.
1159 A.D.
Death of Pope Hadrian IV, the 169th successor of Peter who was the only English pontiff in the history of the Holy See. He ruled for nearly five years. During his reign he had a historic meeting with the emperor Barbarossa at Sutri in the Italian Alps. The emperor refused to hold the bridle of the Hadrian's mule as is the custom and the Pope refused him the kiss of peace. However, when an agreement was reached between them and Barbarosa repented, Hadrian officially crowned him as Holy Roman Emperor. Barbarossa would later be excommunicated by succeeding Popes.
1271 A.D.
The simple priest Archdeacon Tedaldo Visconti, friend of Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Bonaventure, is elected the 184th successor of Peter, becoming Blessed Pope Gregory X. It took three years for him to be elected because of disagreements at the conclave in Viterbo. The people became so impatient that no Pope had been elected, they removed the roof of the conclave and put the cardinals on bread and water until they could come to a decision. Needless to say they did and they chose well. Blessed Gregory convened the 14th Ecumenical Council.
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