Question

Which pope wanted to rid the church of corrupt practices such as buying and selling offices?

1) Pope Leo X
2) Pope Julius II
3) Pope Alexander VI
4) Pope Gregory VII

Answer 1

Pope Gregory VII was the Pope who sought to eliminate corrupt practices like simony in the 11th century by banning the selling of church offices and excommunicating Emperor Henry IV who continued the practice.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Pope who wanted to rid the Church of corrupt practices such as buying and selling offices was Pope Gregory VII. In the 11th century, Pope Gregory VII took significant steps to reform the Church, issuing a ban on simony (the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges, for example pardons or benefices) in 1075. His actions against simony included forbidding the appointment of Church officials by secular rulers, which was a common practice at the time, leading to his excommunication of Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV who continued this practice. This stance by Pope Gregory VII laid the groundwork for the eventual separation of church authority from secular power, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the Catholic Church.