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 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.