Vitale Candiano was the 24th doge of the Republic of Venice

Doge of Venice

The Doge of Venice , often mistranslated Duke was the chief magistrate and leader of the Most Serene Republic of Venice for over a thousand years. Doges of Venice were elected for life by the city-state's aristocracy. Commonly the person selected as Doge was the shrewdest elder in the city...

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He probably was the fourth son of the 22nd doge, Pietro IV Candiano

Pietro IV Candiano

Pietro IV Candiano was the twenty-second or twentieth Doge of Venice from 959 to his death. He was the eldest son of Pietro III Candiano, with whom he co-reigned and whom he was elected to succeed.-Rise:...

. He was elected by the popular assembly in September of 978 CE. This after having to flee to Saxony because of the revolt against his father. His predecessor Pietro I Orseolo

Pietro I Orseolo

Pietro I Orseolo was the Doge of Venice from 976 to 978. He is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. He was born near Udine to one of the more powerful families in Venice...

 had left Venice to become a monk. He voluntarily abdicated after serving as Doge for 14 months.

Relationships with the empire of the West

At times, relationship between Venice and Western Empire was rocky because, in 976 CE, Venetian citizens revolted and killed Doge Peter IV Candiano. Granted, he was a despotic leader, but the Western Emperor, Otto II, supported him and he was related by his second marriage to both Otto II's family and that of the King of Italy.

Abdication

Fourteen months after being elected, Vitale Candiano abdicated, for health reasons. He withdrew to the convent of Sant'Ilario and lived monastic life. In 1017 CE, died there and was buried.