Description

Pope Damasus II (died August 9, 1048; born Poppo de' Curagnoni) was the 152nd pope of the Catholic Church, serving for a brief period of only 23 days in 1048. Born as Poppo in Bavaria, he was appointed to the papacy during a time of intense conflict between the papal authority and the German Holy Roman Empire. His selection was heavily influenced by Emperor Henry III, who sought to assert imperial control over the Church.

Damasus II's papacy was marked by his arrival in Rome during a period of political turmoil and opposition from factions loyal to Benedict IX, a deposed and contentious former pope. Unfortunately, his reign was cut short when he succumbed to malaria shortly after taking office, leaving little opportunity for significant actions or reforms. His death highlighted the instability and external pressures facing the papacy during the 11th century.