Pope from
1 March 705
Pope until
18 October 707
Died
18 October 707
Who he was
John was a Greek of distinguished family, son of Plato and Blatta, and had managed the papal estates on the Appian Way. He was learned, eloquent and devoted to his parents, but of a cautious temperament.
What he is remembered for
He is remembered for the art of his reign: he decorated Santa Maria Antiqua in the Forum with frescoes, where he was described as 'servant of Mary', and built a chapel to Our Lady in St Peter's, some of whose mosaics survive. He recovered the papal estates in the Cottian Alps from the Lombard king. When Justinian II sent him the decrees of the Council in Trullo, he returned them without comment.
Sources
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