What were the character traits of Gregory VII?

Answer 1

A:

Pope Gregory VII is one of the most interesting popes ever to have lived. He was the first pope in several centuries to attempt to rigorously enforce the Church's ancient policy of celibacy for the Catholic clergy, yet there is strong evidence that as pope, he had a mistress, the Countess Matilda. He claimed supremacy over the secular authorities, with supreme legislative and judicial power, and the right to depose all princes and to have all Christians as his subjects. When he sought to invoke those powers, either with the Normans or the Holy Roman Empire, he found them wanting.

An autocrat who did not understand the limits to his powers or to the patience of the bishops, he died in exile, hated almost universally. He took on the world and lost.

Answer 2

Gregory VII, also known as Hildebrand, was known for his strong-willed and assertive nature. He was determined to assert papal authority and reform the Catholic Church. He was also known for his uncompromising stance on issues like simony and clerical marriage. Additionally, Gregory VII was a skilled diplomat and strategist, using his cunning to navigate the complex political landscape of medieval Europe.