Papal States / Papa Clemens Secundus (Pope Clement II)

Pope Clement II (Latin: Clemens II; born Suidger von Morsleben), was Pope from 25 December 1046 until his death in 1047. He was the first in a series of reform-minded popes from Germany.

Suidger was the Bishop of Bamberg. In 1046, he accompanied Henry, King of Germany, when at the request of laity and clergy of Rome, Henry went to Italy and summoned the Council of Sutri, which deposed Popes Benedict IX and Sylvester III, and accepted the resignation of Gregory VI. Henry suggested Suidger for Pope, and he was then elected, taking the name of Clement II. Clement then proceeded with the coronation of Henry as Holy Roman Emperor.

Clement's brief tenure as pope saw the enactment of more stringent prohibitions against simony.