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. 175.
The Lives of the Popes,
BY
B. Platina
Volume I.
SISINNIUS.
A.D. 708.
SISINNIUS, or (as others call him) Sozimus, a Syrian, his father’s name John, lived in the pontificate no more than twenty days, in which time it is said the body of St Benedict was by stealth conveyed away from Mount Cassino, by reason of the solitude of the place, and carried into France. Now Sisinnius, though he was so afflicted with the gout, both in his hands and feet, that he could neither walk nor feed himself, yet he took such care both of the city and Church of Rome, as to leave nothing undone which became a good Pope. He had already prepared all materials for raising the decayed walls of the city, and the repairing and beautifying of the old ruined churches; but he died suddenly, and was buried in St Peter’s, February the 6th. The see was then vacant one month, eighteen days.
Previous Pope: 88. John VII. 89. Sisinnius. Next Pope: 90. Constantine I.