Valentinus 4 was pope Valentinus, bishop of Rome for forty days in 827; a native of Rome, from the district of Via Lata, he was the son of Leontios 19; his parents are described as freeborn and pious ("ab ingenuis et piis parentibus genitus") (hence he was clearly not of noble family); sent to school ("ob studia elementorum sollerti magistro traditus esset"), he learned the Scriptures by heart; as a child he avoided childish games; he was truthful and did not misbehave: Lib. Pont. 102. 1. He came to the notice of pope Paschal (Paschalis 5) (817-824) and under him rose through the grades of an ecclesiastical career to become a subdeacon; he then entered the service of Paschalis 5 in the Lateran palace ("illum per ecclesiasticos gradus ad subdiaconatus honorem provexit et Lateranensi palatio sibi deservire praecepit, sc. Paschalis"): Lib. Pont. 102. 3. He was then promoted to deacon by Paschalis ("quem ... levitam sedis suae apostolicae consecravit") and subsequently to archdeacon ("eumque postmodum archidiaconum fecit"); he remained in high favour under the successor of Paschalis, Eugenius II (Eugenios 7): Lib. Pont. 102. 4. After the death of Eugenius (in 827) he was a universal choice at Rome to become the next bishop and was duly elected and consecrated: Lib. Pont. 102. 5-8 (the events are described at some length). He apparently fell ill soon afterwards ("corporis oppressus molestia") and died: Lib. Pont. 102. 8, 103. 3, 104. 4. He is described as munificent, energetic, eloquent, sympathetic and generous to those in need: Lib. Pont. 102. 8.

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