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By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, May 12, 2024

Pope Sylvester II dies – May 12, 1003

Pope Sylvester II (946-1003), a teacher and scientist who later became head of the Roman Catholic Church. He is depicted in the dark blue robe in this illustration from around the time of his death. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of when Pope Sylvester II, a Medieval teacher, tutor and scientist who eventually became head of the Roman Catholic Church, died.

Born Gerbert of Aurillac in Saint-Simon, France, in 946, Sylvester II was known for his love of literature, tutoring Holy Roman Empire princes, and interest in scientific endeavors.

“Gerbert proved to be a humanist four centuries before the Renaissance. He read literature ranging from Latin religious works to the Greek and Roman classics of Aristotle, Cicero, and Virgil,” noted Pope History.

“The French philosopher, teacher, and scientist turned pope also built a revolutionary organ that was powered by hydraulics using brass pipes. It was considered to be far superior to any earlier designed musical instrument.”

Sylvester II died shortly after returning to Rome, having lost a power struggle in the Italian city with the local nobility two years earlier.