gregory vii

noun

1. SaintHildebrand, c1020–85, Italian ecclesiastic: pope 1073–85.

noun

1. Saint, monastic name Hildebrand. ?1020-–85, pope (1073–85), who did much to reform abuses in the Church. His assertion of papal supremacy and his prohibition (1075) of lay investiture was opposed by the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, whom he excommunicated (1076). He was driven into exile when Henry captured Rome (1084). Feast day: May 25