ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL Saints celebrated on the 26th of April STEPHEN III., POPE ⬅️ Saintly Popes - Index [Also called Pope Stephen II.] Unanimously elected in St Mary Major's and consecrated on March 26 (or April 3), 752; he died April 26, 757. He had at once to face the Lombards who were resolved to bring all Italy under their sway. With the capture of Ravenna (751), they had put an end to the power of the Byzantine exarchs and were preparing to seize the Duchy of Rome. In vain did Stephen apply for help to Constantinople and freely spent his money to induce them to keep the peace they had made with him, and to refrain from hostilities. He accordingly devoted himself to prayer and endeavoured to obtain assistance from Pepin and the Franks. As a last resource he went himself to Gaul to plead his cause before the Frankish king. Receiving a most favourable reception, he crowned Pepin as King of the Franks, and at Kiersey was solemnly assured by him ...