Leo VII (died July 13, 939), Pope from January 3, 936 until his death in 939, was preceded by Pope John XI (931–935), and followed by Pope Stephen VIII (939–942). Leo VII's election to the papacy was secured by Alberic II of Spoleto, the monarch in Rome. Alberic wanted to choose the pope so that the papacy would continue to yield to his authority. Leo was the priest of St. Sixtus in Rome, thought to be a Benedictine monk. He had little ambition towards the papacy, but consented under pressure. After his death in July of 939, Leo VII was interred at St. Peter's Basilica.