Emperor Otto I sought to consolidate his power and assert imperial authority over the papacy by calling for a synod at St. Peter's Basilica. The council convened in November brought various bishops and dignitaries to Rome amidst escalating tensions, primarily driven by Pope John XII's actions that were viewed as defiant and insubordinate.

Pope John XII, who had been elected as pope in 955 when he was still in his twenties, had a turbulent reign marked by allegations of immorality and mismanagement. The Pope’s alliance with local Roman nobility led to conflicts with Otto, who had aspirations of controlling the papacy to strengthen the Holy Roman Empire. Central to the charges against John XII were claims of armed rebellion against the Emperor, including alleged conspiracies that threatened Otto's rule.

The council ultimately resulted in the deposition of John XII, showcasing the precarious balance of power between ecclesiastical and imperial authority during this period. Otto's decisive actions not only altered the political landscape of the papacy but also fortified his status as a central figure in European politics, arguably laying groundwork for future conflicts between popes and emperors.