Spirituality for Today – Winter 2019/2020 – Volume 24, Issue 2

The 136th Pope
John XIV

Pope John XIV (983–984) – He was baptized Peter and changed his name as pope to show appropriate respect for the apostle. He was the first pope, so named, to do so. The new pope had been Bishop of Pavia and was "elected" pope having been selected by Emperor Otto II. Soon after being installed as Pope John XIV, Otto II died. Having no allies or other ties in Rome, the antipope Boniface VII rushed back from exile in an attempt to claim the papal throne. Pope John was deposed, imprisoned where he would die. The unfortunate pontiff was buried in the Basilica of Saint Peter.

Habemus papam