Benedict was the son of a Roman called John, and was born and raised in Rome around the vicinity of the Theatre of Marcellus.

The Roman people, unhappy with the election of Leo VIII as pope, recalled John XII.

However, with John's death, the Roman people again rejected Leo, who fled from Rome and joined Otto at Rieti in central Italy.

The result was famine, as the land around the city was ravaged, and a single modius of bran cost thirty denarii.

[5] Although Benedict tried to bolster morale by encouraging the defenders from the walls of the city, as well as threatening to excommunicate the emperor and his army, the Romans soon decided to capitulate.

[6] Together with his clerical and lay supporters, and clad in his pontifical robes, Benedict was brought before a synod which Leo had convened.

[10] His period of exile was brief; Adam of Bremen noted: ”The archbishop [Adaldag] kept him with great honour till his death; for he is said to have been both holy and learned and worthy of the Apostolic See.

[14] A legend has it that Benedict prophesied his relocation to Rome, and the devastation of Hamburg by King Mstivoj of the Obodrites in 983: "Here must my frail body return to dust.