Pope Eugene II

Eugene II was a native of Rome and was chosen to succeed [Pascal I]? in 894. Another candidate, Zinzinnus, was proposed by the plebeian faction, and the presence of the emperor Lothair was necessary in order to maintain the authority of the new pope. Lothair took advantage of this opportunity to redress many abuses in the papal administration, to vest the election of the pope in the nobles, and to confirm the statute that no pope should be consecrated till his election had the approval of the emperor.

A council which assembled at Rome in the reign of Eugene passed several enactments for the restoration of church discipline, took masures for the foundation of schools and chapters, and decided against priests wearing a secular dress or engaging in secular occupations. Eugene also adopted various provisions for the care of the poor and of widows and orphans, and on that account recieved the name of "father of the people", an epithet not altogether appropriate, if he was, as is said to have been, the author of the "ordeal of cold water". He died in 827.

Original text from the 9th edition (1879) of an unnamed encyclopedia Original referred to him as Eugenius - modified to match spelling on Popes list.