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Born around 1018, Pope Victor II, originally known as Gebhard of Dollnstein-Hirschberg, hailed from noble Bavarian origins. Recognized for his piety and administrative skills, he rose through the ranks of the clergy, initially serving as Bishop of Eichstätt. His election as pope in 1055 marked a significant moment in papal history, characterized by his zeal for ecclesiastical reform and the strengthening of papal authority.