teen years away from Sweden, he never
ceased to keep up a fervid interest in the affairs of his native land.
As soon as the atrocities of Christiern reached his ears, he made a
personal visit to Pope Leo X. and denounced the practices of the Danish
king. The suggestions which he offered seem to have been scorned by Leo;
but in 1521 that pontiff died, and his successor, Adrian VI., listened
more readily to the Swedish canon. Adrian himself was from the north of
Europe, and had earlier been an instructor of Johannes in the University
of Louvain. The characters of the two were not unlike. Both held strong
theological opinions, and looked with dread upon all opposition to the
papal power. But they were both keenly alive to the abuses that had
gathered about the Church, and were eager to repress them. Johannes was
peculiarly suited by nature for a work of compromise. With no ordinary
talents, of untiring energy, sympathetic, generous, and conciliating,
but withal imbued with an ardent love of the Church, Adrian at once
discerned in him a valuable mediator. When, therefore, Gustavus wrote to
Rome to defend himself against the charge of heresy, the pope selected
Johannes as his legate, with instructions to proceed to Sweden and
investigate the charges made against each other by Christiern and
Gustavus. The legate, complying with these orders, arrived in Sweden
while the diet of Strengnaes was in session. He therefore made his way
directly to that town. While on the road the tidings reached him that
Gustavus Vasa had been elected king. As soon as the new monarch learned
of his approach, he sent for him to come before the house. There he was
overwhelmed with expressions of gratitude for his past interest in the
Swedish cause. In return the legate addressed the house at great length
in favor of Gustavus. The impression left upon his hearers was so
pleasing that the Cabinet drew up a letter to the pope requesting that
Johannes be given full authority, with the bishops of Sweden, to reform
the Swedish Church. In the same letter opportunity was taken to denounce
the vices of Archbishop Trolle, and to beg that, he having already
resigned and fled the kingdom, the pope should use his authority to
have a new archbishop chosen in his stead.[80]

This document bears strong evidence of the influence of the king. Its
allusion to the resignation of Archbishop Trolle was of course untrue.
That prelate had fled the realm to escape the fury of