Sylvester II (940-1003), elected pope in 999, became the first French pope. He was born in the Auvergne region of southern France. His given name was Gerbert. He showed extraordinary intelligence throughout his life and became the most accomplished mathematician and philosopher of his time.
Sylvester had a remarkable career before becoming pope. He traveled widely in Europe, attracting patrons and supporters who included popes and German emperors. He was abbot of the great Italian monastery of Bobbio, master of the famous French cathedral school at Reims, archbishop of Reims, and patriarch of Ravenna, Italy.
As an intellectual, Sylvester was interested in promoting the close study of original manuscripts and of raising interest in many classical authors. As a churchman, he was a sincere and strong reformer, working for a clergy that was more highly educated and also more pious and moral. He died on May 12, 1003.
