Feast day: May 25th
When did Pope Gregory VII live: 1020 - 1085
Biography of St. Gregory VII:
Pope Gregory VII was born as Hildebrand in 1020 in Tuscany. He was educated in Rome and later became chaplain to Gregory VI. After the death of Gregory VI, Hildebrand entered a monastery until Leo IX called him to Rome to be the treasurer of the church. In 1073, he was elected pope and chose the name Gregory VII. He established reforms against simony, clerical marriage a lay investiture. Because of all of there reforms, he had a conflict with Emperor Henry IV, but they reconciled in 1077. When Henry captured Rome in 1084, Gregory fled to Monte Cassino and died in Salerno in 1085.
Statues and wooden sculptures representing St. Gregory VII - portrayal, imagery and emblem: St. Gregory is shown as Pope with papal cross, papal crown, cross around his neck and books at his feet with little dove.