A Philandering Catholic Pope: Pope John XII

Ioannes XII, by Giovanni Battista Cavalieri, 1580, via Municipal Library of Trento

Last but not least is John XII (930-964), whose papacy was known for its worldliness and depravity. He was also related to the powerful house of Tusculum, but in spite of his powerful connections, he was unable to control Rome’s nobility. His dual roles as head of the church and secular prince made him unpopular with many nobles. He was characterized as an immoral man who drank, hunted, and had many sexual liaisons. The papal residence was described as a brothel, and legend has it that John XII was defenestrated (thrown out of a window) for sleeping with a married woman. It is clear that his princely inclinations were much stronger than any spiritual office that he held, and modern scholars are in agreement that he was an unfit Pope.