John VI, Pope

GIOVANNI VI, POPE. — He succeeded Sergius I and was consecrated on 30 October 701. Greek by origin, under him Greek influence continued in the Roman Curia, but he also took care of the interests of Italy, which by then found its sole support in the papacy; thus G. VI intervened on behalf of the Italian troops who had rebelled against the exarch Theophylact; he halted the Lombard duke of Benevento, Gisulf I, five miles from Rome and, with rich gifts, persuaded him to turn back, ceasing to terrorize the populations. He also concerned himself with English affairs, having the accusations of the king of Northumberland against Bishop Wilfredo of York (703–704), defender of the rights of the Church in England, examined by a Roman synod; justice was done to him.