John XXI
Portugal·13th century·Medieval Papacy·Diocesan Clergy
Pope John XXI, born Pedro Julião, was a Portuguese pope who served from September 1276 until his death in May 1277. He is the only Portuguese pope in history and is often identified with the philosopher and physician Peter of Spain. His brief pontificate was marked by attempts to launch a crusade, push for union with the Eastern church, and maintain peace among Christian nations, though much of his papacy was influenced by Cardinal Giovanni Gaetano Orsini.
Key Facts
- ›He is the only Portuguese pope in history.
- ›He is often identified with the logician and herbalist Peter of Spain.
- ›He served as physician to Pope Gregory X.
- ›He was created Cardinal Bishop of Tusculum in 1273.
- ›He died from injuries sustained when a ceiling collapsed in his papal apartment at Viterbo.
Pedro Julião, Peter of Spain, Petrus Hispanus
- Reversed A Decree From the Second Council of Lyon Concerning Cardinal Conclaves.
- Attempted To Launch A Crusade For the Holy Land.
- Pushed For A Union With the Eastern Church.
- Excommunicated Afonso Iii of Portugal.
- Sent Legates To Kublai Khan.
- Launched A Mission To Convert the Tatars.
Lisbon, University of Paris, University of Siena, Pope Gregory X, Cardinal Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Kublai Khan, Afonso Iii of Portugal, Second Council of Lyon, Viterbo, Duomo Di Viterbo, Dante Alighieri
About John XXI
Pope John XXI
Pope John XXI, born Pedro Julião between 1210 and 1220, served as the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from September 8, 1276, until his death on May 20, 1277. He holds the unique distinction of being the only Portuguese pope in history. He is also frequently identified with the influential logician and herbalist known as Peter of Spain (Petrus Hispanus), which would also make him the only pope to have been a physician.
Early Life and Scholarly Pursuits
Born in Lisbon to Julião Pais and Mor Mendes, Pedro Julião received his early education at the episcopal school of Lisbon Cathedral and later studied at the University of Paris, though some accounts suggest Montpellier. His studies encompassed a broad range of disciplines, including medicine, theology, logic, physics, metaphysics, and Aristotelian dialectic. As Peter of Spain, he was a renowned medical author and a significant figure in the development of logic, with his work "Summulae Logicales" serving as a university textbook for centuries. He also acted as a councilor and spokesman for King Afonso III in church matters at the court in Lisbon. His ecclesiastical career included being Archdeacon of Vermoim and Master of the school of Lisbon. He later became the physician to Pope Gregory X. In 1273, he was appointed Cardinal Bishop of Tusculum (Frascati).
Pontificate and Actions
Following the death of Pope Adrian V, Peter was elected pope on September 8, 1276, and crowned a week later. His papacy, though brief, was marked by several significant actions. He reversed a decree from the Second Council of Lyon that had imposed strict conditions on the election of popes. John XXI also endeavored to launch a crusade for the Holy Land, actively pursued a union with the Eastern church, and sought to foster peace among Christian nations. Among his other acts, he excommunicated Afonso III of Portugal for interference in episcopal elections and dispatched legates to Kublai Khan with a mission to convert the Tatars, though he died before this mission could commence.
Death and Legacy
To facilitate his medical studies, Pope John XXI had a special apartment added to the papal palace in Viterbo. It was in this apartment, on May 14, 1277, that the ceiling collapsed while he was alone. He was rescued but died of his severe injuries six days later, on May 20, 1277, potentially representing an early documented case of crush syndrome.
John XXI was buried in the Duomo di Viterbo. His tomb has undergone several changes and restorations over the centuries. After his death, rumors circulated that he was a necromancer, a suspicion sometimes cast upon scholarly medieval popes. Nevertheless, his intellectual contributions were recognized by Dante Alighieri, who placed "Pietro Spano" among the great religious scholars in his "Paradiso."
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pope John XXI?
Pope John XXI, born Pedro Julião, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from September 8, 1276, to his death on May 20, 1277. He is historically significant as the only Portuguese pope and is often identified with the philosopher and physician Peter of Spain.
What was Pope John XXI known for during his papacy?
During his brief reign, John XXI attempted to launch a crusade for the Holy Land, pushed for a union with the Eastern church, and worked to maintain peace between Christian nations. He also reversed a decree from the Second Council of Lyon concerning the election of popes.
What is the connection between Pope John XXI and Peter of Spain?
Pope John XXI is widely identified with Peter of Spain, a prominent figure in logic and pharmacology. Peter of Spain taught logic at the University of Siena and authored "Summulae Logicales," a textbook used for centuries. This identification would make John XXI the only pope to have been a physician.
How did Pope John XXI die?
Pope John XXI died on May 20, 1277, from serious injuries sustained when the ceiling of his private apartment in the papal palace at Viterbo collapsed on May 14, 1277. He was rescued from the rubble but succumbed to his wounds, possibly representing an early recorded case of crush syndrome.
Where is Pope John XXI buried?
Pope John XXI was buried in the Duomo di Viterbo. While his original sarcophagus was replaced, his remains were later transferred to a new sarcophagus, and in 2000, a new funeral monument was erected in his honor in the transept.
Related Popes
Alexander IV
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Gregory X
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