11th century
Feast: December 26
Pope who promoted church reform and worked to resolve the East-West Schism during the 11th century.
Stephen IX was pope from 1057-1058 and a leading figure in the 11th-century church reform movement. Brother of Duke Godfrey of Lorraine, he worked to eliminate simony and clerical marriage while attempting reconciliation with the Eastern Church. His reform efforts laid groundwork for later papal renewal.