# Pope John II

_Pope_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/pope-john-ii
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Pope John II, born Mercurius, was the Bishop of Rome from 2 January 533 to his death on 8 May 535. As a priest at St. Clement's Basilica, he endowed that church with gifts and commissioned stone carvings for it. Mercurius became the first pope to adopt a new papal name upon his elevation to the office. During his pontificate, John II notably removed Bishop Contumeliosus of Riez from his office, convened a council on the readmission of Arian clergy, and approved an edict of emperor Justinian, promulgating doctrine opposed by his predecessor, Pope Hormisdas.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 470 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168736#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168736#P19))
- **Died:** 8 May 535 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168736#P570))
- **Place of death:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168736#P20))
- **Occupation:** Catholic priest; writer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168736#P106))
- **Positions held:** Pope (4 January 533 – 8 May 535) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168736#P39))

## Questions

**When was Pope John II born?**  
Pope John II was born on 470 in Rome.

**What positions has Pope John II held?**  
Positions held by Pope John II include: Pope (0533–0535).

## Related

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- [Pope Gregory XIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xiii)
- [Pope Clement VII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-clement-vii)
- [Pope Pius I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-pius-i)
- [Pope Boniface I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-boniface-i)
- [Pope Agapetus I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-agapetus-i)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Pope John II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_II) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q168736](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168736) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Johannes II.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johannes_II.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Pope John II, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Johannes II.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Pope John II". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-john-ii. Retrieved 5 November 2026.