John II
John II, Pope, a Roman by birth, surnamed Mercurius, succeeded Boniface II in the Roman see in 532, being elected by the clergy and the people of Rome after considerable agitation and many simoniacal practices, and confirmed by king Athalaric, for which confirmation a certain payment was fixed by an edict of the same king. The emperor Justinian, in a letter addressed to him shortly after his accession, after earnest assurances of his endeavor to unite the Western and Eastern churches, makes full confession of superior power belonging to the Roman hierarchy, designating him as "the head of the holy Church." The only other important events in his life are his decision on the Trinity question in favor of Justinian (q.v.) SEE ACOEMETAE and in the case of othe bishop of Riez (q.v.). He died in 535. See Bower, Hist. of the Popes, 2, 333 sq.; Riddle, Papacy, 1, 203.
