Pope from July/August 913 - February/March 914Died: February/March 914Give me the scoop on Lando.Pope Lando is, for the most part, an obscure figure. He hailed from Sabina, a region in central Italy, and was pope for around six months, from Summer 913 to the Spring of 914. The only historical act of Lando’s that’s known for certain is a personal donation he made to restore the Cathedral of San Salvatore in his home diocese of Sabina.
What was he known for?Lando is known for having a major conversion, going from living a relatively degenerate life to being one of the Empire’s greatest champions. Though he was once coerced into betraying his friends, Lando, being a man of great conscience, redeemed himself and eventually saved them from the forces of evil. After a crucial undercover mission almost cost him his life, Lando was made a general in the Rebel Alliance and helped destroy the Death Star. Wait...that can’t be right. Oops!
Wrong Lando.
Fun fact: Pope Lando was the last pontiff to have a name that hadn’t already appeared on the papal list, or been used by a previous successor. His streak lasted precisely 1,100 years, until Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis in 2013. ("John Paul" doesn't count, since both "John" and "Paul" had previously been papal names)
What else was going on in the world at the time?In 914, the Second Viking Age began in Ireland, as the Vikings conquered the Emerald Isle for the second time. It was during that period that the cities of Dublin, Cork, and Limerick were established, along with several other coastal towns.
Coming Monday...Pope John XSOURCES (and further reading)