SYLVESTER II c.943 - 1003 Pope Gerbert of Aurillac became as Sylvester II the first French pope. Gerbert was a learned scholar in France and a student of Arab scholars in Spain. He travelled to Rome in 970, where he made such an impression with his knowledge of mathematics that the emperor Otto I appointed him tutor to his son. He was elected pope in 999. As pope he was renowned for his scholarly achievements, politically he consolidated papal influence over Poland and Hungary. |
www link : From the Catholic Encyclopedia: Biography |