The Controversial Legacy of Benedict IX: A Precursor to Modern Papal Elections

The Controversial Legacy of Benedict IX: A Precursor to Modern Papal Elections

By TheNationweekcom

April 29, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – The recent demise of Pope Francis at the age of 88 has rekindled interest in the documentary series “Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History,” particularly its examination of the infamous figure of Benedict IX.

The six-part series, narrated by Liam Neeson and produced by CNN in 2018, investigates the evolution of the papacy, tracing its origins from the 12 apostles to the contemporary Catholic Church, which currently boasts approximately 1.2 billion followers.

In its second episode, the series addresses the unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, a rare occurrence in papal history that subsequently paved the way for Pope Francis.

Father James M. Weiss, a theology professor at Boston University, underscores the numerous challenges that Francis inherited from his predecessor, including financial instability, the repercussions of sexual abuse scandals, and administrative chaos.

The documentary further correlates Benedict XVI’s resignation with the tumultuous reign of Benedict IX, a medieval pope whose actions precipitated the establishment of the conclave and the iconic white smoke signals that announce a new pope’s election.

Benedict IX, who ascended to the papacy three times during the 11th century, was a product of nepotism, being the nephew of several popes and benefiting from his family’s considerable influence in Rome.

He assumed the papacy at a remarkably young age in 1032, presiding over an era characterized by scandal and corruption.

Benedict IX’s tenure was so detrimental to the Church’s reputation that the cardinals ultimately compelled his resignation, reportedly offering him a substantial sum—estimated by some historians to be around 1,500 pounds of gold.

His successor, Sylvester III, occupied the position for a mere six months before Benedict IX, supported by a formidable army from his influential family, forcibly reclaimed his papal throne.

Shortly thereafter, he attempted to marry his cousin, designating his godfather, Gregory VI, as his successor. However, the marriage never materialized, and Benedict IX resumed his papal responsibilities.

As noted by Susan Wise Bauer, a writer and theologian, this tumultuous period engendered a crisis of legitimacy, with multiple claimants contending for the title of Saint Peter’s successor. The conflict was ultimately resolved through military intervention, once again favoring Benedict IX, prompting the cardinals to establish a more structured electoral process for future papacies.

This significant development laid the foundation for what we now recognize as the conclave and the white smoke signaling a new pope’s election.

Over the ensuing years, various attempts to establish a fair electoral process were met with challenges until Pope Gregory X instituted substantial reforms in the 13th century. He mandated that cardinals convene in a locked, secluded setting, free from external influence, hence the term “conclave,” derived from the Latin “cum-clavis” (with a key).

The documentary and the film “Conclave” provide a comprehensive account of this electoral process, which commences with the presentation of candidates. A candidate must secure a two-thirds majority to be elected. Should no candidate achieve this requisite majority, the ballots are burned—historically mixed with wet straw to produce black smoke, signaling the need for further voting. Once a candidate garners sufficient support, their name is burned alone, resulting in white smoke that heralds the election of a new pontiff.

In contemporary practices, chemicals are now utilized to create the smoke signals that announce the results of each voting round.

Since the papacy of John Paul II, cardinals have convened at the Santa Marta residence within the Vatican to deliberate on this significant decision.