Optional Memorial of Pope St. John I, 470-526; when elected, he "inherited" the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ; Italy's emperor subscribed to the heresy, but was tolerant of Catholics; when the eastern emperor began imposing severe sanctions on Arians, John was sent to try to negotiate softer measures; on returning, John was imprisoned, as the western emperor was suspicious of a conspiracy; John died in prison