Pope John XIII

Reign: 965 – 972
Life: d. 972

930 to 6 September 972) was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 1 October 965 to his death. His pontificate was caught up in the continuing conflict between the Holy Roman emperor, Otto I, and the Roman nobility. After long and arduous negotiations, he succeeded in arranging a Byzantine marriage for Otto II, in an effort to legitimize the Ottonian claim to imperial dignity. He also established church hierarchy in Poland and Bohemia.

During Pope John XIII's reign, Otto I the Great ruled Holy Roman Empire, Edgar, King of England ruled England, and Emperor Taizu of Song ruled China.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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From the library

Go deeper on Pope John XIII

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Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy

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