John II of Rome

John II of Rome was bishop of Rome from 2 January 533 until 8 May 535. He was named Mercurius at birth and was the first bishop of Rome to take a new name on being elected, probably so as not to bear the name of a pagan god.

Election

He was born in Rome around 470 or 475, the son of Projectus, from the Caelian Hill. He served as priest of the church of Saint Clement, to which he gave works of carved marble that still bear his name and monogram. He was elected after a vacancy of more than two months, troubled by the buying of votes. The Gothic king Athalaric confirmed a senatorial law that forbade such bargains. He ordered it engraved on a marble slab in the atrium of the Basilica of Saint Peter, but claimed for himself the right to confirm elections.

Faith and care for the Churches

In his time the Sleepless monks, the Acoemetae, came to support Nestorianism, after a dispute over the formula One of the Trinity suffered in the flesh. Emperor Justinian and Patriarch Epiphanius of Constantinople sent an embassy to Rome. The pope called a synod, excommunicated the Acoemetae and approved the doctrine of the emperor. He also ordered that Bishop Contumeliosus of Riez, guilty of unworthy conduct, be confined in a monastery, and that the clergy of Riez obey the bishop of Arles until a new bishop could be named.

In 535, two hundred and seventeen bishops assembled at Carthage asked his judgement on bishops who had fallen into Arianism, whether after repentance they should keep their rank or be received only as laymen. The answer was given by his successor, Pope Agapetus I.

Repose

John fell asleep on 8 May 535 and was buried in the Basilica of Saint Peter. The sources say nothing of a canonization or a day of commemoration for him. Little is known of his life.