pope from 684 to 685.

He was engaged in church government under popes SS. Agatho (Agatho, Saint) and Leo II, whom he was elected (683) to succeed. His consecration (June 26, 684) was delayed until the approval of the Byzantine emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus could be obtained, so that the see of Rome was vacant for almost a year. Benedict wanted to eliminate this time gap between the election by the clergy and Roman citizens and corroboration by the Christian emperor, and he persuaded Constantine to decree that in future elections the imperial exarch (viceroy) in Ravenna could ratify the results. Nevertheless, ratification by the emperor himself continued. Benedict confirmed Agatho's injunctions to restore Archbishop Wilfrid to the see of York. During his pontificate, Benedict restored several Roman churches.