From The Lives of the Popes from the Time of our Saviour Jesus Christ to the Accession of Gregory VII. Written Originally in Latin by B. Platina, Native of Cremona, and translated into English (from an anonymous translation, first printed in 1685 by Sir Paul Rycaut), Edited by William Benham, Volume I, London: Griffith, Farran, Okeden & Welsh, [1888, undated in text]; pp. 124-125.
The Lives of the Popes,
BY
B. Platina
Volume I.
JOHN II.
A.D. 532-535.
JOHN the Second, a Roman, son of Projectus, lived in the time of Justinian, and soon after his entrance upon the pontificate condemned Anthemius, an Arian bishop; some say that he had been Bishop of Constantinople. Justinian, to show his respect to the Roman see, sent Hypatius and Demetrius, two bishops, to Rome, both to compliment John in his name, and to make to St Peter’s Church several rich presents. During this embassy, Mundus, Justinian’s general, took the strong city of Salona, and gained a victory over the Goths, though not without great loss on the conquering side. For Mundus himself, together with his son, a valiant and 125 brave young gentlemen, was slain in that engagement; the news of which misfortune was extremely laid to heart by Justinian, he having always had a great value for that leader’s courage and fidelity. Our bishop John, of whom historians say very little, having at one ordination made fifteen presbyters, twenty-one bishops, died, and was buried in St Peter’s Church, May 27th. He sat in the chair two years, four months; and by his death the see was vacant six days.
Previous Pope: 57. Boniface II. 5. John II. Next Pope: 59. Agapetus I.