Pope John I facts for kids

Pope John I (Latin: Ioannes I) was the leader of the Catholic Church from August 13, 523, until his death on May 18, 526. He was born in Tuscany, a region in Italy.

Pope John I is known for a difficult mission he undertook. He was sent by the Ostrogoth King Theoderic to Constantinople. His job was to help a group called the Arians. Even though he did well, King Theoderic later put him in prison. Pope John I died there because of poor conditions.

Early Life and Church Service

Before becoming pope, John was a deacon in Rome. A deacon is a church official who helps priests. At one point, he supported a different church leader, Antipope Laurentius. However, John later admitted his mistake and asked for forgiveness from Pope Symmachus.

He was likely the "Deacon John" who signed important church documents in 499 and 502. This is very probable because there were only seven deacons in Rome at that time. He might also be the "Deacon John" to whom the famous writer Boethius dedicated some of his religious writings.

Becoming Pope and His Mission

John was not very strong when he was chosen to be pope. Despite his health, King Theodoric the Great, who was an Arian Christian, sent him on a special trip. Theoderic ruled the Ostrogoths in Italy.

The mission was to Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The emperor there, Justin I, had made a rule against Arians. King Theoderic wanted Pope John to ask Emperor Justin to be less strict. The king even threatened to harm non-Arian Christians in the West if John failed.

Pope John traveled with many important people. These included other bishops like Ecclesius and Eusebius. He also had important government officials, called senators, with him.

Meeting the Emperor and Imprisonment

Emperor Justin welcomed Pope John with great respect. He agreed to most of the requests from the pope's group. However, he would not allow Arians who converted to Catholicism to keep their high positions in the church.

Even though Pope John's mission was mostly successful, trouble awaited him. When he returned to Ravenna, which was King Theoderic's capital, the king had him arrested. Theoderic suspected that Pope John had secretly worked against him with Emperor Justin.

Pope John was put in prison in Ravenna. He died there on May 18, 526, because he was not cared for properly. His body was later brought to Rome and buried in the Basilica of St. Peter.

The Liber Pontificalis, an old book about popes, says that Pope John I helped repair several cemeteries for martyrs. These included the cemeteries of Nereus and Achilleus, Felix and Adauctus, and Priscilla.

Veneration and Legacy

Pope John I is often shown in art looking through prison bars. Sometimes he is shown imprisoned with a deacon and a subdeacon. He is honored in Ravenna and in Tuscany.

His special day, called a feast day, is May 18. This is the day he died.

See also

In Spanish: Juan I (papa) para niños

• List of Catholic saints
• List of popes