Vizards not wanted at the Popery: The Harry Potter Pope elected instead.
Pope Valentine
Date of birth unknown; died about October, 827. Valentine was by birth was
Roman, belonging to the Via Lata district. While still a youth he entered
the service of the Church. His biographer in the "Liber pontificalis" (ed.
Duchesne, II, 71-2) praises his piety and purity of morals, which won him
the favour of Paschal I (817-24). Paschal ordained him at the Lateran
palace, and placed him as archdeacon at the head of the Roman diaconate.
Valentine retained his influential position during the pontificate of Eugene
II (824-7), and after Eugene's death (27 August, 827) was unanimously
elected his successor by the clergy, nobles, and people of Rome. The
election had taken place at the Lateran whence the entire company proceeded
to Sancta Maria Maggiore, where Valentine was tarrying in prayer. He was led
to the Lateran basilica and placed upon the papal throne. After this,
probably on the succeeding Sunday, he was consecrated bishop at St. Peter's,
and then enthroned as pope. No information has been preserved of his brief
reign, he died after he had occupied the papal see forty days according to
the Liber pontificalis", and barely a month according to the testimony of
the "Annales" of Einhard (ad an. 827).