Pope Formosus

Pope

Formosus
Pope Formousus' dead body on trial
Papacy began6 October 891
Papacy ended4 April 896
PredecessorStephen V
SuccessorBoniface VI
Personal details
Bornc. 816
Rome, Papal States
Died(896-04-04)4 April 896
Rome, Papal States

Pope Formosus (c. 816 – 896) was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 6 October 891 to his death. His reign as pope was troubled, marked by power struggles over the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Kingdom of West Francia, and the Holy Roman Empire.

Papacy

During his papacy, Formosus also had to side with the Saracens, who were attacking Lazio.[1] On 4 April 896, Formosus died.[2] He was replaced by Boniface VI, whose papacy lasted 15 days.[2]

Trial

He sided with Arnulf of Carinthia against Lambert of Spoleto. He was accused of perjury and was put on trial. As a result, Formosus's remains were exhumed and put on trial in the Cadaver Synod.[3] He was found guilty and his body was buried many times at a nearby river.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Wickham 2014, p. 22.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kirsch 1909, p. 141.
  3. ↑ Bautz, Friedrich Wilhelm (1990). "Formosus, Papst". In Bautz, Friedrich Wilhelm (ed.). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (in German). Vol. 2. Hamm, Germany: Bautz. cols. 70–71. ISBN 978-3-88309-032-0.
  4. ↑ "The Cadaver Synod: When a Pope's Corpse Was Put on Trial". Atlas Obscura. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2020.