This week in Christian history: Church of England allows female bishops; John Ball executed

John III consecrated pope – July 17, 561

This week marks the anniversary of what is believed to be the date on which John III, the head of the Roman Catholic Church during the Lombard invasions of Italy, was consecrated pope.

Born Catelinus and coming from a distinguished Roman family, John III was consecrated the bishop of Rome about five months after the death of his predecessor, Pope Pelagius I.

During his 13-year reign, a Germanic people called the Lombards invaded Italy, violently conquering the peninsula and destroying most of the records of John III’s papacy.

John III’s decision to have a Naples official named Narses fight the Lombards at Ravenna was immensely unpopular with the local populace, which prompting him to leave the city and live in nearby catacombs for several months.

“There, he hid from the public while still completing his duties as pope,” explained Pope History. “He remained in the catacombs until the death of Narses in 573. He returned to the Lateran Palace but died about a year later.”