Pope Gregory VII

About Pope Gregory VII

Gregory VII (Hildebrand) was Pope from 1073-1085, one of history's most influential popes, who led the Gregorian Reform. Born Hildebrand, he served several popes before his own election. Gregory fought simony (buying church offices), clerical marriage, and especially lay investiture (secular rulers appointing bishops). His conflict with Emperor Henry IV culminated in Henry's excommunication and famous penance at Canossa in 1077, where the emperor stood barefoot in the snow for three days seeking absolution. Though Henry later attacked Rome, forcing Gregory into exile, the pope's reforms permanently strengthened papal independence and spiritual authority. Gregory died in exile in Salerno, saying "I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile." His reforms shaped the medieval Church and established principles of ecclesiastical independence. Canonized 1606.