Damasus II,
Pope from
July 17 to
August 9,
1048, was the second of the German pontiffs nominated by
Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor. His original name was Poppo, and he was bishop of
Brixen[?] when the emperor raised him to the papacy.
The shortness of his reign led to rumors that he had been poisoned; it is more likely he died of malaria.
- preceded by Pope Benedict IX (1047-1048)
- succeeded by Saint Pope Leo IX (1049-1054)