Birthplace
Rome
Pope from
2 January 533
Pope until
8 May 535
Died
8 May 535
Who he was
John was a Roman, son of Projectus, and a priest of the basilica of San Clemente, where carved marble still bears his name. He was elected after a vacancy of over two months marked by simony.
What he is remembered for
He seems to have been the first pope to take a new name on election; he had been known as Mercurius. During his reign the decree against buying votes in papal elections was confirmed and set up in St Peter's. He kept good relations with both the Gothic king Athalaric and the Emperor Justinian.
Sources
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