Pope John XXI

Who was Pope John XXI?

Pope John XXI, born Pedro Julião or Peter Juliani, was the head of the Catholic Church from 13 September 1276 to his death in 1277. A Portuguese often identified with Pedro Hispano, he was the only Portuguese pope, although Damasus I can also be considered Portuguese, as he was born in territory that is nowadays in Portugal.

He was also the only pope to have been a physician.

Because he decided to skip the number XX, the previous pope named John was Pope John XIX. Pope John XXI is technically the 20th actual Pope John.