here, after having the customary prayers read over him by a bishop found for the occasion, philip held the traditional feast in the lateran palace, attended by a number of dignitaries from both church and state. christophorus had by now returned to rome and was approaching the city gates. learning of philip's uncanonical election, he stated to the romans who had gone out to greet him, that he would not enter rome until philip was removed. philip's election was declared invalid, he was declared guilty of simony, the pontifical garments were removed from him, and he was forced to return to his monastery. christophorus entered rome and oversaw the election of stephen iii.