Stephen

the name of nine Popes; S. I. , Pope from 253 to 257, signalised by his zeal against the heresies of his time; S. II. , Pope from 752 to 757, in whose reign, under favour of Pepin le Bref, began the temporal power of the Popes; S. III. , Pope from 768 to 772, sanctioned the worship of saints and images; S. IV. , Pope from 816 to 817; S. V. , Pope from 885 to 891, distinguished for his charity; S. VI. , Pope from 896 to 897, strangled after a reign of 18 months; S. VII. , Pope from 829 to 831, entirely under the control of his mistre es; S. VIII. , Pope from 939 to 942; S. IX. , Pope from 1057 to 1058, vigorously opposed the sale of benefices and the immorality of the clergy.