Italian potato. His real name was Hildebrando Aldobrandeschi. Was designated secretary to Pope Gregory VI (1045) for a year, after which he accompanies him to his ostracism in Cologne. Later said Pope ceased to exist and Hildebrando made his entrance to the Cluny monastery, where he is trained in reformist ideas.
In 1049 he called it Pope Leo IX to be a pontifical legate, knowing the power centers of Europe. Later 1056 reported the election of Pope Victor II; however, when the latter passed away he was elected Benedict X. However, Hildebrando protested, getting Nicholas II.
The papacy was having a tendency towards counts and princes. Passing over time to those characters who were not worthy representatives. For what the 10th century was called Dark century or Iron century of the church. So during 150 years about forty popes and antipopes assumed the papacy.
Under the power of Charlemagne the cesaropapism, in which the hierocracy, being therefore Gregory VII one of his representatives. And it was then that in the eleventh century there was a true Caesaropapism with the emperor Henry III; However, after his death a movement arises that wants to free the papacy from the power of the empire.
Being named Hildebrand as Pope, under the public order of April 22, 1073. Having the papal consecration on June 30, 1073.
Pope Gregory VII published in 1075 the Dictatus Papae, in which he expresses his ideology on the role of a Pope. It is because of this publication that it leads to a conflict with the German emperor, who was called Investiture complaint.
This ban was rejected by Henry IV who continued to assign bishops in Milan, Spoleto and Fermo, which were close to the Papal States. Threatening you with the excommunication and his defenestration as Emperor.
They found the Pope and emperor in the Castle of Canossa; However, Henry did not present himself as king, but as a penitent to be forgiven. So Gregory VII forgives Henry IV’s sins, asking in exchange for a Diet to discuss the investiture of the Church.
However, the king delays the Diet, causing the Pope to excommunicate him a second time, which achieved the same effects of the first, since the German and Lombard bishops were in favor of the king. And the latter appoints Clement III as new Pope.
Gregory VII hides in Castel Sant’Angelo awaiting the arrival of the Normans, who force Enrique IV to leave Rome, where there was a confrontation between Romans and Gregory, who had to go to Salermo, where he died in 1085.
Canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII, being remembered and celebrated on May 25.