Pope John VII

Pope John VII was the 86th Pope of the Catholic Church. His papacy marked a notable shift in papal relations. He had a good relationship with the Lombards. However, his relationship with Emperor Justinian II was a bit rockier. This lead to some tension between the Church and Byzantium.

Background

John VII was born in Calabria, located on the southern tip of Italy. He was of Greek ethnicity and became one of the Byzantine Popes to rule during the later 7th and early 8th centuries.

Born to father Plato and mother Blatta, John VII was a well-rounded and educated man. His father was the official curator of Palatine Hill. He worked for the Byzantine Emperor, making his son one of the first popes born to a Byzantine official.

History with the Church

Prior to becoming pope, John VI held onto the position of Deacon. He was appointed during the turn of the century in the year 700. In the very same year, he elevated to the position of cardinal. Just a year later, he was elected as the 85th pope.

Papacy

After his election in 705, Pope John VII had many political rivals to contend with. At the time, three powers were vying for control over Italy. This included the Church, the Lombards, and the Byzantines. The Lombards held the most control over Italy at the time. Meanwhile, the Byzantines were arguing over who was emperor. The exarch of Ravenna was sent by the Emperor Justinian II to represent the empire in Italy.

Pope John VII developed a healthy relationship with the Lombards. This resulted in the Lombards releasing the Southwestern region of Italy. Unfortunately, this event sacrificed papal relations with the empire.

Sour relations came to a head over the Quinisext Council. Pope John VII refused to ratify the council’s canons. According to records, the canons were deeply unpopular throughout Italy. He sent them back unsigned, further agitating relations with Byzantine.

Quick Facts About Pope John VII

  • Pope John VII was born around the year 650 AD.
  • His birth name is not known.
  • The Pope died on October 18th, 707. He was 57 years old when he passed.
  • There are no records of how Pope John VII died. He likely died of natural cause connected to his old age.
  • Pope John VII was elected on the first of March, 705. He succeeded Pope John VI.
  • With his death on October 18th, 707, Pope John VII’s papacy ended.
  • Pope John VII was succeeded by Pope Sisinnius after a brief vacancy.

Interesting Facts About Pope John VII

  • John VII was the first Pope who was the son of a Byzantine official.
  • He was criticized in the Liber Pontificalis, a book of pope biographies, for not signing Council canons. The biographies highlighted his “human weakness.”
  • During his papacy, Pope John VII restored the Sancta Maria Antiqua.
  • In a single ordination, he created 15 bishops, nine priests, and two beacons.
  • After his death, the position of Pope was vacant for about three months.

All of the Popes that took the name “John”

There has been 21 popes that have taken the name of John.

John I (St.) (#53) (523 – 526)
John II (#56) (533 – 535)
John III (#61) (561 – 574)
John IV (#72) (640 – 642)
John V (#82) (685 – 686)
John VI (#85) (701 – 705)
John VII (#86) (705 – 707)
John VIII (#108) (872 – 882)
John IX (#117) (898 – 900)
John X (#123) (914 – 928)
John XI (#126) (931 – 935)
John XII (#131) (955 – 963)
John XIII (#134) (965 – 972)
John XIV (#137) (983 – 984)
John XV (#138) (985 – 996)
John XVII (#141) (1003)
John XVIII (#142) (1003 – 1009)
John XIX (#145) (1024 – 1032)
John XXI (#188) (1276 – 1277)
John XXII (#197) (1316 – 1334)
John XXIII (Blessed) (#262) (1958 – 1963)