Pope Conon’s brief papacy from AD 686 to AD 687 was marked by his efforts to address internal church struggles and promote Christian missions. Despite his ill health and simple nature, he took significant steps, including supporting the evangelization of Franconia and reforming the papal estates in Sicily.



Pope Conon led the Holy Catholic Church from October 21, AD 686 to September 21, AD 687. The Liber Pontificalis, the book containing the history of the early popes, attests that Pope Conon was a Greek.

Upon the demise of Pope John V, the clergy nominated a priest named Peter and Theodore, a priest who had influence in the affairs of the Roman army as candidates to the papacy. The Roman army at the time had forbade the clergy from entering the Lateran Basilica to elect a new pope. Although both sides negotiated to reach a compromise, neither side could accept the other. As a solution to the problem, the clergy elected the elderly and simple-minded Conon as the new pope.

Since Conon's father was an army general, his election was also acceptable to the Roman military. Church historians describe Conon as a secular, saintly, simple-minded, but sickly man. His election, along with internal problems in Rome, led to disagreements in the church.

Pope Conon appointed a deacon named Syracuse as rector of the papal estates in Sicily, a position reserved only for a member of the Roman clergy. Although the Pope appointed Syracuse as the rector of the papal patrimony, this decision put the Church under even greater pressure. Once Syracuse took office, he began plundering and destroying the property. Following this, the tenants of the papal properties organized themselves against the rector and began a rebellion. Realizing that the situation was deteriorating, the governor of Sicily arrested Syracuse and exiled him.

The Pope commissioned St. Killian, the evangelist who had come to Rome from Ireland to visit him, and his group to preach the gospel. They were sent to the Franconia region to spread Christianity. St. Killian played a major role in the Christianization of Bavaria, which was part of Germany. To show his respect and love for Pope Conon, Emperor Justinian II granted exemptions from many taxes that Rome had to pay.

Pope Conon passed away on September 21, AD 687. His mortal remains were laid to rest in St. Peter's Basilica.