MILLENNIUM MILESTONES & MEMORIES: TIME CAPSULES

Historical Events in Church Annals for December 16:

• 882 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope John VIII, 107th successor of Peter. Assisted only by the inhabitants of Rome he defeated the Saracens at Terracina. After his coronation Charles the Gross failed to maintain his promise to John of help and the Pope was defeated by the Arabs, thus being forced to pay a large tribute to the infidels. John's pontificate lasted ten years and three days.

• 882 A.D.
  
• Election of Pope Marinus I on the same day his predecessor died. Marinus becomes the 108th successor of Peter. His pontificate would only last two years and he would exercise great pressure on the Eastern Emperor Basil to act against schismatics. He would die on May 15, 884 with a strong suspicion of poisoning surrounding his death which would occur while he was trying to solve the quarrels of Italian factions.