Pope Silvester II

Silvester II, pope (999-1003). Gerbert of Aurillac was born in about 945 in Aquitaine. He became abbot at Aurillac and later studied in Spain, especially mathematics. He was made tutor to Otto III, who later made him abbot of the great monastery at Bobbio? in northern Italy. In 987 he became secretary to Hugh Capet, who made him archbishop of Reims? in 991. A council in 995 determined that the previous archbishop had been wrongly deposed. Otto selected him to succeed Gregory V as pope in 999.

preceded by [[Pope Gregory V] (996-999)

succeeded by [Pope John XVII]? (1003)