Pope Sergius III (c. 860 - 14 April 911) was
Pope from 29 January 904 to his death in 911. He was pope during a period of
feudal violence and disorder in central Italy, when warring aristocratic factions sought to use the material and military resources of the
Papacy. Because Sergius III had reputedly ordered the murder of his two immediate predecessors,
Leo V and
Christopher, and was the only pope to have allegedly fathered an illegitimate son who later became pope (
John XI), his pontificate has been variously described as "dismal and disgraceful", and "efficient and ruthless".