JOHN VII

born , Greece? died Oct. 18, 707, Rome pope from 705 to 707. Elected March 1, 705, John was noted for his devotion to the Virgin Mary and for his energetic restoration of Roman churches. John did not recognize the decrees of the Council of Trullo (Constantinople, 692), submitted by the Byzantine emperor Justinian II, which included disapproval of such customs as celibacy of the clergy and rules for fasting.