A Grim Courtroom
In January 897, Pope Stephen VI ordered the body of his predecessor, Pope Formosus, to be exhumed from its tomb. Formosus, dead for several months, was brought to the papal court in Rome, dressed in papal robes, and placed on a throne.
Accusations Against the Deceased
The corpse, represented by a deacon acting as a defender, faced charges of violating church law and perjury. Stephen VI, with Formosus’ rotting corpse before him, accused him of illegally assuming the papacy and violating canon law.
A Macabre Verdict
Formosus was declared guilty. His papal ordination was annulled, and his body was stripped of its sacred garments, three fingers used for blessings were cut off, and he was buried in a common grave. Soon after, the body was exhumed again and thrown into the Tiber River.
The Backlash
The bizarre trial, known as the Cadaver Synod, shocked many, causing a backlash against Stephen VI. Within months, he was deposed, imprisoned, and later strangled, marking one of the most infamous moments in papal history.
The Trial of a Dead Pope ✝️
A Grim Courtroom
In January 897, Pope Stephen VI ordered the body of his predecessor, Pope Formosus, to be exhumed from its tomb. Formosus, dead for several months, was brought to the papal court in Rome, dressed in papal robes, and placed on a… pic.twitter.com/xJTfZRwUYu— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TBBOB2) September 11, 2024