This week in Christian history: First openly gay UMC bishop elected, priest captured for high treason
Pope John III dies – July 13, 574
This week marks the anniversary of the death of Pope John III, the head of the Roman Catholic Church during the Lombard invasions of Italy, who reigned for 13 years.
Born Catelinus and coming from a distinguished Roman family, John III was consecrated pope about five months after the death of his predecessor, Pope Pelagius I.
During his reign, a Germanic people known as the Lombards invaded Italy from the south, 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 population, prompting the pope to leave the city and live among the 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, ending his papacy.”
