Pope Sisinnius (b. 650)
Pope Sisinnius (c. 650 – 4 February 708) was the bishop of Rome from 15 January 708 to his death.Sisinnius was born in Tyre (modern-day Lebanon), and his father's name was John. The paucity of donations to the papacy during his reign (42 pounds of gold and 310 pounds of silver, a fraction of the personal donations of other contemporary pontiffs) indicate that he was probably not from the aristocracy.Sisinnius was selected as pope during the period of Byzantine domination, succeeding John VII after a vacancy of three months. He was consecrated around 15 January 708. His pontificate lasted just twenty days. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "although he was so afflicted with gout that he was unable even to feed himself, he is nevertheless said to have been a man of strong character, and to have been able to take thought for the good of the city". Among his few acts as pope was the consecration of a bishop for Corsica. He also ordered "that lime be burned in order to restore portions" of the walls of Rome. The restoration of the walls planned by Sisinnius was eventually carried out by Gregory II.Sisinnius was buried in Old St. Peter's Basilica. He was succeeded less than two months later by Constantine, who some historians believe was his brother.