From The Lives of the Popes from the Time of our Saviour Jesus Christ to the Accession of Gregory VII. Written Originally in Latin by B. Platina, Native of Cremona, and translated into English (from an anonymous translation, first printed in 1685 by Sir Paul Rycaut), Edited by William Benham, Volume I, London: Griffith, Farran, Okeden & Welsh, [1888, undated in text]; pp. 254.
The Lives of the Popes,
BY
B. Platina
Volume I.
LEO VIII.
A.D. 964-965.
LEO the Eighth, the Proloscriniary, (as I have said before), upon the expulsion of John, was created Pope by the clergy and people of Rome. For when John led such an abominable and exorbitant life that the Romans urged the Emperor to depose him and set up another Pope, he answered that the election belonged to the clergy and people; and let them choose a man they took to be most fit, he would confirm him immediately. Hereupon, when they had chosen Leo, and the Emperor had confirmed him, soon after altering their minds, they deposed him and put up Benedict, which so angered Otho that he compelled them by force of arms to yield up Benedict and accept of Leo again, who was so teased with the mutinous humour of the Romans, that he transferred the whole power of electing of Popes from the clergy and people to the Emperor. But he lived not long after, dying in the sixteenth month of his Popedom.
Previous Pope: 135. Benedict5 V. 136. Leo VIII. Next Pope: 137. John XIII.