This week in Christian history: English Jesuit martyred, pope deposed, missionary travels to South Africa
Pope John XII deposed – Dec. 4, 963
This week marks the anniversary of when Holy Roman Emperor Otto I held a council that deposed Pope John XII due to his political intrigue and reportedly immoral personal life.
The year before, King Otto and the pontiff had made an agreement that the monarch would protect papal territory in Italy and not interfere with Church decisions or laws.
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However, when John XII began forming alliances behind Otto’s back, the emperor convened a council in Rome, which agreed to depose the pontiff and replace him with Pope Leo VIII.
“Otto convened a council, demanding John defend himself against various charges. John threatened excommunication to anyone trying to depose him. Unfazed, Otto and the council deposed John,” noted Historymedieval.com.
“John XII’s tenure as both the secular prince of Rome and the spiritual leader of the church was marked by a leaning towards his secular duties. His behavior, often described as coarse and immoral, suggested a lifestyle more fitting a secular prince. The Lateran Palace was reputedly akin to a brothel under his rule, and his actions were a source of widespread disgrace.”
