Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: The Most Infamous Pope in History?

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: The Most Infamous Pope in History?

By Mr Ghaz, May 17, 2010

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Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: The Most Infamous Pope in History?

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Few were less suited to the office. As described by contemporary chronicles, John’s major preoccupations were fighting (he donned armor and led an unsuccessful expedition against rival princes), mutilating enemies, arson, hunting, and gambling. He also frequently indulged in affairs with married women, and rewarded his many mistresses with gifts plundered from St. Peter’s.

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Power Struggle

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Threatened by the advance of Berengar, a local warring prince, in 962 John summoned to his aid Otto I of Saxony, whom John crowned Holy Roman Emperor. Otto subsequently tried to make John swear an oath of allegiance. When John refused, Otto summoned a council on November 6, 963, and leveled further charges against the pope. Among them: that he had ordained a deacon in a stable; consecrated a 10-year-old boy as bishop of Todi; converted the Lateran Palace into a brothel; raped female pilgrims in St. Peter’s; stolen church offerings; drunk toasts to the devil; and, when playing dice, invoked the assistance of Jove, Venus, and other pagan gods and demons.

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John refused to answer his accusers, however, and on December 4 was deposed by the emperor, who replaced him with Pope Leo VIII.

But as soon as the emperor left Rome, John returned and Leo fled. John then wreaked savage revenge on all who had opposed him, maiming many by cutting out their tongues, chopping off their noses, and hacking off their hands.

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But John did not live to enjoy his return to power, and it was an affair with a married woman that led to his downfall. Caught in the act by the woman’s outraged husband, he was severely beaten. He died of his injuries a few days later, on May 14, 1964. John’s brief reign had ended.