On This Day

Octavian, son of Duke Alberic II of Spoleto, elected Pope John XII

Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c. 930/937 – 14 May 964), born Octavian, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 16 December 955 to his death in 964.

Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c. 930/937 – 14 May 964), born Octavian, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 16 December 955 to his death in 964. He was related to the counts of Tusculum, a powerful Roman family which had dominated papal politics for over half a century. He became Pope somewhere between the ages of 17 and 25. If he was 17 then he may have been the youngest Pope in history; if not, that title may belong to Benedict IX, who was between the ages of 11 and 20 when elected. In 960, he clashed with the Lombards to the south. Unable to control Rome easily, he sought help from King Otto I of Germany and crowned him emperor. John XII's pontificate became infamous for the alleged depravity and worldliness with which he conducted his office.

Historical Significance

Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c.

Events Before

  1. Otto I the Great gives away bishopric of Utrecht "foreestrecht"

    Otto I the Great gives away bishopric of Utrecht "foreestrecht"

  2. Otto I the Great is crowned King of Italy

    King of Italy (Italian: Re d'Italia; Latin: Rex Italiae) was the title given to the ruler of the Kingdom of Italy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

  3. Otto I the Great grants Utrecht fishing rights

    Otto I the Great grants Utrecht fishing rights

  4. Ratherius becomes Bishop of Liège

    Ratherius becomes Bishop of Liège

  5. Lotharius becomes King of France

    Lotharius becomes King of France

Events After

  1. Wulfstan, Anglo-Saxon Archbishop of York (931-52) who supported Viking leaders, dies under arrest

    Wulfstan, Anglo-Saxon Archbishop of York (931-52) who supported Viking leaders, dies under arrest

  2. Erachus becomes Bishop of Liège

    Erachus becomes Bishop of Liège

  3. Edgar I, the Peaceful, becomes king of all England

    Edgar (or Eadgar; c. 944 – 8 July 975), also known as Edgar the Peacemaker, the Peaceful and the Peaceable, was King of the English from 959 until his death in 975.

  4. Coronation of Zhao Kuangyin as Emperor Taizu of the Song initiates three centuries of Song Dynasty dominance in southern

    Coronation of Zhao Kuangyin as Emperor Taizu of the Song initiates three centuries of Song Dynasty dominance in southern China

  5. German King Otto II crowned

    Otto I (23 November 912 – 7 May 973), known as Otto the Great (German: Otto der Große; Italian: Ottone il Grande) or Otto of Saxony (German: Otto von Sachsen; Italian: Ottone di Sassonia), was East...

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 16, 955?
Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c. 930/937 – 14 May 964), born Octavian, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 16 December 955 to his death in 964. He was related to the counts of Tusculum, a powerful Roman family which had dominated papal politics for over half a century.
Why is Octavian, son of Duke Alberic II of Spoleto, elected Pope John XII significant?
Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c.

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