Pope John XVIII

Pope John XVIII served as the bishop of Rome and nominal ruler of the Papal States from January 1004 until his abdication in July 1009. His papacy unfolded during a tumultuous period marked by the power struggle between John Crescentius and Emperor Henry II, which significantly influenced the political landscape of Rome.

Despite holding the title of pope, John XVIII wielded little temporal power, navigating the complexities of a divided city. His tenure was characterized by the challenges of maintaining authority amidst external pressures and internal conflicts.

Notably, John XVIII was the last pope to use his baptismal name for centuries. Following his papacy, a tradition emerged where subsequent popes adopted new papal names, with only a few exceptions, such as Adrian VI and Marcellus II, breaking this pattern.