John IX
John IX
Pope, a Benedictine of Tivoli, was consecrated to the pontifical office June, 898. He held two councils, one at St. Peter's, where the wrong done to his badly-abused predecessor Formosus was redressed; the other at Ravenna, which passed an act for the better protection of Church property against thieves and incendiaries. John displayed an honest zeal in defending the rights and regulating the discipline of the Church. His rival for the papal throne, Sergius (q.v.), he successfully combated, and, by authority of a council he had called, excommunicated him, with several other ecclesiastical accessories. John died July, 900. On his life, see Muratori, vol. 3, pt. 2; on the synods, Mansi, vol. 18. See also Milman, Latin Christianity, 3, 112 sq.; Bower, History of the Popes, 5, 77 sq.
