Pope Gregory VII, born Hildebrand of Soana, was the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from April 22, 1073 to his death in 1085. He is known for his attack on investure, the right of political rulers to apoint high ranking members of the clergy. In his Dictatus papae, Pope Gregory VII decreed the supremacy of the Church of Rome over other churches and over the empire; the supremacy of clerical authority over lay authority.