John XIII (born, Rome—died Sept. 6, 972, Rome) was the pope from 965 to 972.
He was bishop of Narni, Papal States, when chosen pope on Oct. 1, 965, by Emperor Otto I, and as pope he strongly supported Otto’s ecclesiastical and political policies. Although John was a pious and learned man, the Roman nobles opposed Otto’s choice and kidnapped John (December 965). In 966 Otto saved him and took savage vengeance on his enemies. John crowned Otto’s 12-year-old son Otto II as emperor (Christmas 967). Immediately before the Byzantine princess Theophano married Otto II (972), John crowned her as empress. John’s alliance with the imperial family made his pontificate peaceful, and the emperor restored considerable territory to the Papal State.