Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrated the feast day of St. Pope John I Wednesday, thanking him for defending the faith.

“Today the Church honors the first 'Pope John' in its history, St. John I,” the diocese posted on Facebook. “He was a martyr for the faith, imprisoned and starved to death by a heretical King in the sixth century.” 

St. John I was elected pope in the year 523, even though he was only an archdeacon at the time, according to Catholic.org. 

Theodoric the Goth was ruling Italy at the time. Theodoric endorsed the Arian heresy, which denies the divinity of Christ. Theodoric appointed John to lead a delegation to negotiate with Byzantine Emperor Justin I, even though John didn't want to do that, Catholic.org said. The mission was reported to be a success, though few details about it are known. John's visit, though, was said to have healed the schism between the Eastern and Western churches, which had been in place since 482. 

Theodoric became suspicious about John's loyalty and his new friendly relationship with the other emperor, Franciscan Media recounts. Theodoric saw to it that John was imprisoned, and John died a short time later, with some blaming the treatment he received in prison for his death, which came just three years after John had become pope, in 526. 

“Pope John refused to support Theodoric in his heresy and was imprisoned, where he died of starvation,” the diocese continued in its post. “St. John I, thank you for your courage and defense of the faith.”

St. John I is honored as a martyr, someone who voluntarily chooses death over renunciation of faith, Britannica explains. His feast day is celebrated on May 18, the anniversary of his death. He was born in Tuscany and died in Ravenna.