# John Xii
Top podcast episodes
Updated:
Pope john xii (Latin: Ioannes XII; c. 930/937 – 14 May 964), born Octavian, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 16 December 955 to his death in 964. He was related to the counts of Tusculum, a powerful Roman family which had dominated papal politics for over half a century. He became Pope somewhere between the ages of 17 and 25.
The Worst Pope in History? Pope John XII and the Council that Removed Him
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 b…
Otto The Great Overthrows The Pope
November 6, 963 CE. Holy Roman Emperor Otto I convenes a Synod of the Church in Rome to depose Pope John XII.
Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more.
History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.
Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.
Daybreak for December 16, 2025
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
Saint of the Day: St. Adelaide, 931-999; married Lothair of Italy, and when he died, his successor and usurper, Berengar of Ivrea, tried to force her to marry his son; she escaped to Canossa, and sought the help of Otto of Germany; Otto conquered Italy, marrie…
Viking Victory: Battle of Lüneburg Heath 880 (+ 9 more historical events on this day!)
A Daily Dose of History (02 Feb 2026)
Today's historical events:
Battle of Lüneburg Heath: King Louis III of France is defeated by the Norse Great Heathen Army at Lüneburg Heath in Saxony.
Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor in near…
Emperor Otto I & Pope John XII: Diploma Ottonianum (+ 12 more historical events on this day!)
A Daily Dose of History (13 Feb 2026)
Today's historical events:
Emperor Otto I and Pope John XII co-sign the Diploma Ottonianum, recognizing John as ruler of Rome.
The central tower of Ely Cathedral falls on the night of 12th–13th.
The Treaty of Westminster is finalised between Edward IV of …
#22 – The Father Of The Renaissance (part one)
I want to pick up our story in the year 1302 To talk about a man called Pietro di Parenzo di Garzo. Well actually I want to talk about his SON. But we’ll get there. And to get there, we’re going to need to duck in and out of the 800 years we’ve skipped since […]
The post #22 – The Father Of The Re…
A German King Rescues a Damsel in Distress
In this episode of A Moment in Church History, Marty McLain recounts Adelaide’s dramatic escape from Italy’s King Berengar, who had imprisoned her after poisoning her husband. Seeking refuge, she appealed to the German king, Otto. Their subsequent marriage fused deep personal loyalty with brilliant…
John XII: The Worst Pope in History
John XII: The Worst Pope in History
10 Mar 2022
---
Thanks to Keeps for sponsoring this video! Head to https://keeps.com/Biographics to get 50% off your first Keeps order.
Check out Simon's newest channel, Warographics: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9h8BDcXwkhZtnqoQJ7PggA
→ Subscribe for…
Pope John XII _ Scandal at the Heart of Medieval Rome _ Medieval History
Close your eyes and journey back to the year 955, when a young Roman nobleman named Octavianus ascended to the Throne of St. Peter at just 18 years old, becoming Pope John XII. He was a seventh-generation descendant of Charlemagne, born into a world of privilege and power, yet his reign would becom…
Pope John XII: Scandal, Power, and the Birth of the Holy Roman Empire – The Tumultuous Reign at the Heart of Medieval Rome
Step into the shadowy corridors of 10th-century Rome as this episode of the Medieval History Podcast unravels the turbulent and scandalous reign of Pope John XII. Exploring his journey from Octavian—the privileged teenage heir of the powerful House of Theophylact—to the youngest pope in Church hist…
PODCAST SEARCH ENGINE
You can use our website to search 3,822,223 podcasts and 195,469,450 episodes by people, places, or topics.
I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious, and
I listen to podcasts.
‐ Albert "Llamacorn" Einstein
EDIT
Thank you for helping to keep the podcast database up to date.
