Reigned from 855 to 858. Died in Rome, Italy. A Roman citizen. On the day of the papal coronation Emperor Lothair died, leaving the Frankish kingdom divided among five relatives. The Slavs, Normans, and Saracens redoubled their attacks upon the Franks, and to defray the expenses of the war the Frankish nobles seized Church property and sold it. The clergy were powerless, but Benedict was instrumental in removing many of the abuses. He repaired Rome after the Saracen raid, 846, and received a visit and gifts from the Saxon King Ethelwulf and his son, the future King Alfred the Great.