Stephen IV was a Roman bishop and leader of the Papal States who served as pope from June 816 until his death in January 817. Born into a noble Roman family, he was raised at the Lateran Palace and served as a deacon under Leo III. His rapid election by the Roman clergy was likely intended to prevent Carolingian interference in the papal succession. During his brief reign, he traveled to Reims to meet with Emperor Louis the Pious, reinforcing the relationship between the papacy and the Frankish monarchy.
Life and reign
In October 816, Stephen traveled to Reims, where he anointed Louis the Pious as emperor and crowned his wife, Ermengarde, as augusta. This ceremony helped reassert the papacy's role in imperial coronations. During this period, he successfully negotiated the release of Roman political prisoners held by the emperor. After his travels through Ravenna, he returned to Rome, where he focused on traditional ecclesiastical duties and the confirmation of monastic possessions before his death.
Veneration
Recognized as a saint, Stephen IV is commemorated in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. He is honored for his efforts to maintain the privileges of the Roman church and his diplomatic engagement with the Frankish empire.