Pope Marinus I was both the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States until he died in 882. Church leaders at the time considered his papal election scandalous because he was already a bishop, and a bearer of this title typically did not receive an appointment to another episcopal see, including the Bishop of Rome.
Early Life
Pope Marinus I was born in Gallese, a part of the Papal States. His father, Palumbo, was a priest. There is not much is known about the early stages of his life.
Early Clerical Career
Before his papal election, Marinus I had a notable career, which some historians claim was somewhat controversial. Pope Leo IV ordained him a sub-deacon, and then Pope Nicholas I ordained him a deacon. In addition to his appointments as Bishop of Caere, treasurer of the Roman Church, and archdeacon, he served three popes as a legate or personal representative to Constantinople.
In 882, Pope John VIII sent him to Duke Athanasius of Naples to encourage him to avoid trading with the Muslims in southern Italy. Pope Adrian II sent him to the fourth Council of Constantinople.
This body condemned St. Photius, vevered Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church, for going against the Roman Church and preserving the Eastern Orthodox faith in years prior. When Pope John VIII sent him to Constantinople to smooth over the conflict regarding St. Photius, Marinus I was imprisoned.
Controversial Papal Election
On December 15, 882, Marinus I succeeded John VIII as Pope. His papal election was controversial for the time because he already served as a bishop, and a cleric holding this title was not expected to be a bishop of another diocese, much less the Bishop of Rome.
Among his acts as pope, Marinus I reversed the stance of John VIII and condemned Photius I. He also held high regard for Alfred the Great, and he absolved the Anglo-Saxons of taxation and tribute. Records also give an account that Marinus I sent a piece of the True Cross to Alfred. Pope Marinus I died in May or June of 884; Adrian III succeeded him.
List of Events In The Life of Pope Marinus I
| Date | Age | Event | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 830 | Born | ||
| 877 | 47.0 | Appointed | Bishop of Cerveteri, Italy |
| 880 | 50.0 | Elevated to Cardinal | |
| 880 | 50.0 | Appointed | Cardinal-Deacon |
| 16 Dec 882 | 52.9 | Elected | Pope (Roma, Italy) |
| 15 May 884 | 54.3 | Died | Pope (Roma, Italy) |
Quick Facts About Pope Marinus I
- Pope Marinus I was born in 830 in Gallese, Papal States.
- There are no reliable records of his birth name.
- Pope Marinus I died in May or June in 884.
- Pope Marinus I died in Rome. He is buried in the portico of St. Peter’s Cathedral.
- His papacy began on December 16, 882.
- The papacy of Marinus I ended on May 15, 884.
- Pope Adrian III succeeded Pope Marinus I, whose predecessor was Pope John VIII.
Interesting Facts About Pope Marinus I
- Many historians claim Pope Marinus I was elected the same day his predecessor, Pope John VIII, died by assassination.
- Early historians confused the name of Pope Marinus I with that of St. Martinus I, a pope in the seventh century.
- Pope Marinus I was the first bishop of another diocese to be elected Bishop of Rome.
- Pope Marinus I is also known as Pope Martin II.
- Scholars are not clear about the exact date of the death of Pope Marinus I.
- The Papal States, where Pope Marinus I was born, were territories under the rule of the Pope from the 8th century until 1870.