John XIX

Pope John XIX
Papacy began	May 1024
Papacy ended	October 1032
Predecessor	Benedict VIII
Successor	Benedict IX
Personal details
Birth name	Romanus
Born	Unknown Rome, Papal States, Holy Roman Empire
Died	October 1032 Rome, Papal States, Holy Roman Empire

Pope John XIX (Latin: Ioannes XIX; died October 1032) was Pope from May 1024 to his death in 1032.

Born Romanus in Rome as the son of Gregory I, Count of Tusculum, he succeeded his brother Pope Benedict VIII, both members of the powerful house of Tusculum. Prior to being elected Pope, he was an unordained layman and was therefore ordained a bishop in order to enable him to ascend the papal chair, having previously been a consul and senator.

He played a role in the process leading to the Schism of 1054 by rejecting a proposal by Patriarch Eustathius of Constantinople to recognise that Patriarchate's sphere of interest in the east. Against the grain of ecclesiastical history, John XIX agreed, upon being paid a large bribe, to grant the title of ecumenical bishop to the Patriarch of Constantinople. However, this proposal excited general indignation throughout the Church, compelling him almost immediately to withdraw from the agreement.

On the death of the Emperor Henry II in 1024, he gave his support to Emperor Conrad II, who along with his consort was crowned with great pomp at St. Peter's Basilica on Easter of 1027.

In 1025 he sent the crown to Poland and blessed the coronation of the Polish king Bolesław I the Brave.

...
Wikipedia