Pope Stephen V (816-14 September 891) was Pope from 885 to 891, succeeding Pope Adrian III and preceding Pope Formosus.
Biography[]
Stephanus was born in 816 AD in Rome, and he was the son of Hadrian, a member of the Roman aristocracy. Stephen was elected as pope in 885 AD after the death of Pope Adrian III, and his consecration was allowed by Charles the Fat of West Francia, who decided that the unanimity with which he had been consecrated was good enough for him. Stephen adopted Guy III of Spoleto as his son and crowned him as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 891, and he recognized Louis the Blind as king of Provence. From 885 to 886 the Byzantine Empire came to his aid by retaking southern Italy from the Muslims, and Stephen declared that Christians that were enslaved by Muslims were excused of all acts of murder under their rule, and that they could become priests. He died in 891 AD.