Pope #104 had a hard time getting elected; a rival clergyman was selected first, but then removed. Politics, people! Incidentally, Benedict III ruled during the time that the mythical "Pope Joan," the female pope, is said to have held the position.

He was followed by Nicholas I, who ran into some political problems of his own. He refused to grant an annulment to Lothar II, who wanted to marry his mistress Woldrada. I promise you, I am not making these names up.