Pope John XII is often remembered as one of the most scandalous figures to ever sit on the papal throne. Rising to power as a teenager, he became infamous for corruption, violence, and immorality. In 963, a council deposed him—but his downfall didn’t end there. John XII would ultimately be killed by the enraged husband of one of his lovers. In this video, I explore the dramatic rise and fall of Pope John XII, the Council of 963, and how his papacy became a cautionary tale in church history.
