The election of Pope Leo VII, who succeeds Pope John XI as the 126th pope on January 3, 936, had been secured by Alberic II of Spoleto, the ruler of Rome at this time.

Alberic had wanted to choose the pope so that the papacy will continue to yield to his authority.

Leo, thought to be a Benedictine monk, had been the priest of the church of St. Sixtus in Rome.

He had had little ambition towards the papacy, but had consented under pressure.

Most of Leo VII’s bulls are grants of privilege to monasteries, especially including the Abbey of Cluny.

Leo had called for Odo of Cluny to mediate between Alberic and Hugh of Italy, Alberic's stepfather, the King of Italy.

Odo had been successful in negotiating a truce after arranging a marriage between Hugh's daughter Alda and Alberic.

Leo VII has also appointed Frederick, Archbishop of Mainz, as a reformer in Germany.

Leo had allowed Frederick to drive out Jews that refused to be baptized, but he has not endorsed the forced baptism of Jews.

As pope, Leo VII reigns for only three years.

After his death in July 939, he is interred at St. Peter's Basilica.