Pope Eugene, who dies at Rome on June 1 after a reign of nearly two and a half years, is succeeded by Vitalian as the seventy-sixth pope.

Like Eugene, Vitalian tries to restore the connection with Constantinople by making friendly advances to Emperor Constans II and to prepare the way for the settlement of the Monothelite controversy.

He sends letters (synodica) announcing his elevation to the Emperor and to Patriarch Peter of Constantinople, who is inclined to Monothelitism.

The Emperor confirms the privileges of the Holy See as head of the Catholic Church and sends to Rome a codex of the Gospels in a cover of gold richly ornamented with precious stones as a goodwill gesture.