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by Paul Giesting, William Schmitt
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- 4 days ago47 min
Popes 2C - John
Portrait fresco of John XXII, 14th century (Collection of the Palais du Roure, Avignon) Here is the big one...the notes this time are nearly entirely from Magisterium AI. John I 523–526 John II 533–535 John III 561–574 John IV 640–642 John V 685–686 John VI 701–705 John VII 705–707 John VIII 872–882 John IX 898–900 John X 914–928 John XI 931–935 John XII 955–964 John XIII 965–972 John XIV 983–984 John XV 985–996 Antipope John XVI997–998 John XVII 1003 John XVIII 1004–1009 John XIX 1024–1032 John XXI 1276–1277 John XXII 1316–1334 Antipope John XXIII 1410–1415 John XXIII 1958–1963 Here is the chronological sequence of the legitimate popes named John, with the notable antipopes inserted where they belong. “Given name” means the name recorded at birth; medieval records are sometimes incomplete, and the reasons for a papal name are often unknown. The numbering is not perfectly continuous because John XVI and John XXIII were also used by antipopes. John I (523–526) — Born John. Sent by Theodoric to Constantinople to negotiate for the Ostrogoths; imprisoned on his return and died in captivity. Venerated as a martyr. 1 John II (533–535) — Born Mercurius; the first pope known to have changed his name. He likely avoided a name associated with the Roman god Mercury. John III (561–574) — Born Catelinus. His long pontificate coincided with the Lombard invasion of Italy; political turmoil left few records of his work. 2 John IV (640–642) — Born John. Condemned Monothelitism at a Roman synod and used Church funds to ransom captives taken in Dalmatia and Istria. John V (685–686) — Born John in Syria; his brief pontificate was largely uneventful. John VI (701–705) — Born John, probably in Greece. Protected the English bishop Wilfrid when he appealed to Rome against his deposition. John VII (705–707) — Born John in Calabria. His dealings with the Byzantine emperor over the Trullan Council’s canons were notably cautious. John VIII (872–882) — Born John. A forceful pope in the politics of the Carolingian empire and the Photian controversy; he was assassinated, the first papal murder reliably documented. John IX (898–900) — Born John. Rejected the Cadaver Synod and reaffirmed the validity of ordinations performed by Pope Formosus. John X (914–928) — Born John. Helped organize the coalition that defeated Muslim forces at the Garigliano; later imprisoned and suffocated amid Roman political struggles. John XI (931–935) — Born John. His mother, Marozia, and later his half-brother Alberic II dominated Roman affairs; John himself was largely confined to the Lateran. John XII (955–964) — Born Octavian. He adopted the papal name John, but the reason is not securely known; he crowned Otto I emperor and
- 2 weeks ago50 min
Popes 2B - Dominic
Image: St. Dominic at prayer by El Greco. https://www.artchive.com/artwork/st-dominic-praying-el-greco-c-1588-spain/ St. Dominic 1170 - 1221 Here I take up the opportunity offered by Francis and John Paul I and suggest a name that I believe is quite ripe for the picking to be added to the list of papal names. Remarkable points from the Catholic Encyclopedia: • Dominic was from a saintly family and a younger brother, Manes, joined the Dominican order. • He studied for ten years at the University of Palencia. • At a very young age he was recruited to help the Bishop of Osma reform his cathedral chapter. • He stumbled into the Albigensians in southern France when he was sent as part of an embassy to court a Danish (?) princess on behalf of Prince Ferdinand of Castile. • She died while en route back to Castile and this left Dominic at loose ends. He thus began working to confront the Albigensians with preaching and personal sanctity. • The Cistercians had been entrusted with this mission, but were too worldly in that epoch. • Preaching to women was a key part of this effort and led Dominic to establish a female order early on. • A Simon de Montfort (remember that this was the early 13th century and the Norman kings of England still ruled much of southwest France) went on crusade after one of the Cistercian leaders was assassinated in 1208. For all that Dominic himself did not engage in violence he cooperated with Simon and was thought of very highly by that captain. • The connection with the rosary seems to be indirect. Dominic was praying for a successful outcome to the battle of Muret, which in fact went miraculously well and Simon dedicated a chapel in the church where Dominic had been praying dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, showing that the rosary was already known. • Dominic did not found the Inquisition and may never have been part of it. It was active in the Albigensian area (associated with the Cistercians?) already in 1198, while Dominic was still a canon living in virtual seclusion in Osma. • Dominic refused many elections as bishop and said he would run away in the night rather than accept. • He attended the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), which had the same "pastoral" focus that Dominic had, but was opposed to establishing any new religious orders and particularly any new Rules. Dominic had the backing of a local bishop and so for a time the Dominicans were limited to the diocese of Toulouse under Bishop Foulques, and they used the Rule of St Augustine (an intriguing point at present). He was then able to get papal approval in 1216, the year after the Council closed, essentially as a branch of the Augustinians. • He was the Lenten preacher to the Curia in 1217. • Dominic, whose university education had been invaluable for over a decade in preaching and debating Albigensians, wanted the same benefit for his friars and sent "Matthew of France" and two brothers to the University of Paris--so this connection goes back, indirectly, to Dominic himself. He also sent Dominicans to the University of Bologna. • Dominic spent the next few years on constant visitation, traveling from Rome to Spain and back, founding friaries and convents along the way. • The Dominicans took up Pope Honorius' invitation to preach against heresy in Lombardy. This was Dominic's final great project, and shortly afterward he died. The case for a Pope Dominic: The name Dominic represents the highest standard of intellectual achievement alongside fervent faith, asceticism, and persuasive preaching. A pope taking this name could look to emphasize any of these facets of his life and legacy. More discussion from Magisterium AI: "St Dominic (Dominic of Caleruega, or Guzmán) was born in Castile around 1170 and died in Bologna on 6 August 1221. The broad outline of his life is well established, though many colorful details—especially stories of visions and miracles—come from devotional accounts and should be distinguished from the firmer historical record. Pope Benedict XVI summarizes his defining vocation as a life devoted to prayer, preaching, and the salvation of souls. 1 2 Dominic studied at Palencia, where he became known for his learning and concern for the poor; a famous account says he sold his books during a famine to help those in need. He later served as a canon and then prior at Osma. On journeys with Bishop Diego of Osma, he encountered the religious crisis in southern France and committed himself to preaching there. He preached by word and by an austere example of life; Alban Butler’s account emphasizes that his methods against heresy were instruction, patience, prayer, and penance—not violence. 1 2 3 4 Around this mission, Dominic gathered a community of preachers. The Order of Preachers—later known as the Dominicans—received papal confirmation in 1216. Dominic sent friars to establish communities and places of study acr
- 3 weeks ago45 min
Popes 2A - John Paul
John Paul I: This is an image from the Nationaal Archief, the Dutch National Archives, and Spaarnestad Photo, donated to Wikimedia in the context of a partnership program. John Paul II: https://audrey-shark.blogspot.com John Paul I [Albino Luciani] 1978 John Paul II [Karol Wojtyla] 1978-2005 From Claude: Here are the conclaves since 1900, with length counted inclusively from the first day of voting to the day the pope was elected: Year Pope elected Dates Days Ballots 1903 Pius X Jul 31 – Aug 4 5 7 1914 Benedict XV Aug 31 – Sep 3 4 10 1922 Pius XI Feb 2 – 6 5 14 1939 Pius XII Mar 1 – 2 2 3 1958 John XXIII Oct 25 – 28 4 11 1963 Paul VI Jun 19 – 21 3 6 Aug 1978 John Paul I Aug 25 – 26 2 4 Oct 1978 John Paul II Oct 14 – 16 3 8 2005 Benedict XVI Apr 18 – 19 2 4 2013 Francis Mar 12 – 13 2 5 2025 Leo XIV May 7 – 8 2 4 This is from memory, and I haven't checked it against a source. The dates and ballot counts for the modern conclaves are well documented. The counts for the early ones, especially 1903 and 1914, can differ by a ballot or so between sources, because records of older conclaves are less precise. Day counts also depend on whether you count inclusively, as I did, or count the nights elapsed. The 1922 conclave was the longest of the period at 14 ballots, and 1939 the shortest at 3. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ From vatican.va: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LIFE OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL I 1912, 17 October Born at "Forno di Canale" (Belluno), (actually at Canale d'Argordo), son of Giovanni Luciani and Bortola Tancon; was baptized the same day at home, by the midwife, as he was in danger of death. 19 October Baptism was formalized in the Church by the curate, Don Achille Ronzon. 1918 October Began elementary school. 1919 26 September Was confirmed by Bishop Giosuè Cattarossi. 1923 October Entered the minor seminary in Feltre. 1928 October Entered the Gregorian Seminary at Belluno. 1934 Ordained as sub-deacon. 1935 2 February Ordained as deacon. 7 July Ordained to the priesthood at St. Peter's Church of Belluno. 9 July Named curate of the parish at Canale d'Agordo. 18 December Transferred as curate of Agordo and named instructor of religion at the Technical Institute for Miners in Agordo. 1937 July Named vice-rector of the Gregorian Seminary in Belluno (1937-1947). October Began his service as instructor. 1947 27 February Graduated from the Gregorian University in Rome with a doctorate in Sacred Theology, his thesis being, "The origin of the human soul according to Antonio Rosmini". November Nominated chancellor of the diocese of Belluno by Bishop Girolamo Bortignon. 16 December Nominated Monsignor. Nominated Secretary of the Diocescan Synod. 1948 2 February No
- Sep 30, 202654 min
Popes 1D - Paul
St Paul I [brother: Stephen II] 757-767 Paul II [Pietro Barbo] 1464-1471 Paul III [Alessandro Farnese] 1534-1549 Paul IV [Giovanni Caraffa] 1555-1559 Paul V [Camillo Borghese] 1605-1621 St Paul VI [Giovanni Montini] 1963-1978 St. Paul I: brother to Pope Stephen II and succeeded him--the sort of thing that could happen in the premodern era. This was the era of Pepin the Frank, where the Frankish kingdom had just become the papacy's welcome bulwark against the conquests of the Lombards and the intrigues of the Byzantines, who also wished to take back control of as much of Italy as possible; at the end of the century this would lead to the crowning of Constantine as Western Emperor and the final decline of Byzantine influence, although the Lombard dukes would take longer to diminish in importance. Pope Paul I had a reputation for honor and personal sanctity which were still common in that era. Paul II: elected in the fifteenth century recovery and Roman Renaissance period following the Avignon period and the schism and wild experimental councils that ended it. His uncle was Pope Eugene II and apparently he became a priest after his uncle's election. Paul II was a big spender on building projects (probably still needed at the time), carnivals and festivals, and was a supporter of the arts. However, he also found it necessary to reign in some of the more ardent Renaissance figures of his day and closed something called the Roman Academy for its excesses toward paganism and moral turpitude. He made efforts, building on the conciliar period at the beginning of the century, to bring Russia into communion with Rome and to combat the Turks who had just conquered Constantinople; these big ideas and initiatives were, sadly, not successful. The Ottomans continued expanding for centuries to come and Russia is still very much in schism with Rome. Paul III: An aristocrat of the Farnese family, educated at Rome and Florence; knew Leo X from their youth in Florence. He was a cardinal from age 25 until his election as Pope at age 66, a period embracing the excesses of Popes Alexander and Julius/Julian and the beginning of Luther's disturbances. He was enormously influential between his intellect, education, wealth, time in the Sacred College, and diplomatic skill. Finally he was elected Pope in a time of turmoil, less than 20 years after Luther's 95 theses. By that point he was old and respected and past some questionable periods in his youth. Apparently Paul saw immediately that a new general council was needed to address the outbreak of Protestantism, but his efforts to get one started were thwarted by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's attempts to hammer out vague agreements that everyone could accept, and even more so by the power politics of the French under Francois I. He wanted the Holy Roman Empire divided and weakened, and did not care if heresy was the means to that end. In that light it is not surprising that he persecuted Protestants harshly within France itself. This became a recurring French policy and would culminate in the Thirty Years' War that devastated and practically ended the Holy Roman Empire as a united country. Pope Paul was not immune to concerns about the excessive power of the Holy Roman Emperors who had mistreated so many of his predecessors, Gregory VII in particular, but in this he may have been short-sighted; his family were traditional Guelphs who supported the Popes politically against the Emperors. In any case Paul III did get the Council of Trent started and, like Pope John XXIII, did see its initial sessions. Against Charles V's desires, they immediately set to work on some of the key issues regarding original sin, justification, and the sacraments. Meanwhile Pope Paul had begun many reforms of the Curia and Church discipline on his own initiative that after his death were taken up by the Council. He supported many of the new religious orders springing up in this era. Many see Paul III as a Pope of towering importance for the history of the Church. Paul IV: Born of a Neapolitan noble family, brought into the Church by his uncle Cardinal Ottav
- Aug 31, 202647 min
Popes 1C - Sixtus
Changing the numbering system to be more suggestive of a bracket. Sixtus is the third one seed, if you will. Image: Sandro Botticelli, 1480, Pope Sixtus II Popes names Sixtus (originally Xystus): St Sixtus I 117 or 119 to 126 or 128 Martyr St Sixtus II 257 to 258 Famous martyr, in the Roman Canon St Sixtus III 432 to 440 Sixtus IV 1471 to 1484 Sistine Chapel named for him Sixtus V 1585 to 1590 Great reformer of the Papal States and Curia Sixtus or Xystus I: the earliest pope we have covered so far, in the very uncertain period of the second century, during the reign of Hadrian. The chronicles that look back to this time do not agree on the dates of his ministry and otherwise only record a few vague details. He is supposed to have placed the chanting of the Sanctus at its present place in the Mass, right after the Preface; he is also recorded to have been martyred, although nothing seems to be preserved about the event. Sixtus / Xystus II: pope during the persecution of Valerian in the third century. His brief reign saw a reconciliation with St. Cyprian and churches in Africa and Asia Minor, which had been requiring heretics to be rebaptized. The persecution was stepped up in August 258 and Pope Xystus was beheaded with four deacons in a cemetery where he was celebrating Mass; two more deacons were executed the same day; the last and most famous deacon, Lawrence, survived a few days to be captured and according to legend roasted to death. Pope Sixtus to this day is mentioned in the full version of the Roman Canon of the Eucharistic Prayer. Sixtus / Xystus III: prior to his election as pope, a correspondent with St. Augustine. Approved the acts of the Council of Ephesus and rededicated the restored basilica of St. Mary Major. This historical period included continued disputes with both Pelagians and Nestorians. Defended and maintained papal supremacy over Illyricum. Succeeded by Leo the Great. Sixtus IV: pope of the late fifteenth century. Born of poor parents; became a Franciscan and a notable theologian. Unfortunately once pope he became a traditional nepotist and involved the Papal States in wars to put his nephews in charge of Florence and Ferrara, and wars of this nature continued to absorb papal attention through the beginning of the Reformation. He opposed and annulled the decrees of the Council of Constance and was successful in turning the Church away from conciliarism. He was a great builder and is said to have made Rome much more livable, helping continue its recovery from the Avignon period of the papacy. He reorganized and essentially refounded the Vatican Library and most famously built the Sistine Chapel. Sixtus V: also of poor birth and Dalmatian ancestry, whose family had fled from Turkish expansion; supposedly a swineherd as a boy. Also became a Franciscan and rose to prominence in that order, also for a time appointed to the Inquisition in Venice. Accompanied the future Gregory XIII to Spain to investigate claims that the Archbishop of Toledo was a heretic, and the two did not get along. During Gregory XIII's long reign he was sidelined. Similarly to his time as an inquisitor, he proved to be an effective but severe and even brutal ruler of the Papal States. He had perhaps ten thousand to thirty thousand brigands to deal with and nearly exterminated them. He put the papal finances in order and built many useful and beautiful buildings, but seems to have taxed the economy into a stupor. Of particular significance, he created fifteen Congregations to organize the cardinals and created much of the current structure of the Curia. He caused editions of the Septuagint and th
- Jul 22, 202619 min
TSSM Bonus - Gloriously Depressing Literature Edition
Paul followed through on his promise to read Fathers and Sons by Turgenev, Paradise Lost, and Crime and Punishment to discuss with a former student. Some gleanings from his particular corner of the asylum.
- Jun 1, 20267 min
Popes Bonus Episode - PB1
Life keeps happening. Pope Sixtus is the next name on the docket and I will get it out by July. Another fascinating history if not as long as Leo or Gregory. I have promised a former student to read along with her: Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky, Fathers and Sons by Turgenev, and Paradise Lost by you know who. So I will attempt to drop a few thoughts about that sometime over the course of June. Another topic: Pope Leo's first encyclical. After reading the first ten paragraphs, I am very struck by his distributist (that word is clearly lurking in the background) interpretation of Nehemiah, the story he presents as paradigmatic for human economic effort arranged in a way consistent with human nature and our relationship with God. Surely Bill and I can find some grist to grind there when I get him corralled and back at a microphone.
- Apr 4, 202614 min
Mystical Body of Christ - Bonus Episode
The talk I actually gave at the retreat...I ended up not even giving the Man of God talk. Artwork: The Ghent Altarpiece, 15th century
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