Pope Conon

Pope Conon
Papacy began	21 October 686
Papacy ended	21 September 687
Predecessor	John V
Successor	Sergius I
Personal details
Birth name	???
Born	630 Sicily, Byzantine Empire
Died	21 September 687(687-09-21) Rome, Byzantine Empire

Pope Conon (c. 630 – 21 September 687) was Pope from 21 October 686 to his death in 687. He had been put forward as a compromise candidate, there being a conflict between the two factions resident in Rome—military and clerical. On his death, Conon was buried in the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Peter.

Life

Conon was apparently the son of an officer in the Thracian troop. He was educated in Sicily then ordained priest at Rome. He may have been among the many Sicilian clergy in Rome, at that time, due to the Islamic Caliphate attacks on Sicily in the mid-7th century. His age, venerable appearance, and simple character caused the clergy and soldiery of Rome, who were in disagreement, to put aside their respective candidates and to elect him as pope. He was consecrated on 21 October 686 after notice of his election had been sent to the Exarch of Ravenna, or after it had been confirmed by him.

He received the Irish missionaries Saint Kilian and his companions, consecrated Kilian bishop, and commissioned him and the others to preach the faith in Franconia. (Vita S. Kiliani, in Canisius, Lect. Antiquæ, III, 175–180.) He was in favour with Byzantine Emperor Justinian II, who informed him that he had recovered the Acts of the Third Council of Constantinople, by which, the Emperor wrote, it was his intention to abide. Justinian also remitted certain taxes and dues owing to the imperial exchequer from several papal patrimonies.

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: 

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by John V	Pope 686–687	Succeeded by Sergius I