11 most scandalous popes in history

For many centuries, the Catholic Church has elected the best and most worthy leader, called to lead the multimillion flock. However, among the 266 popes of Rome, not all were models of faith and obedience. Some of them were remembered by cruel punishments, shocking scandals and dark financial affairs.

Stephen VI

This pontiff ordered the exhuming of the body of his predecessor, Formosa, and conducted a cruel trial over him. The body of the previous pope and opponent Stefan VI was dressed in papal clothes and planted in the defendant's chair. The corpse was asked questions, to which the acting pontiff himself answered. At the end of the trial, Formoza's body was sentenced to cruel punishment. He was cut off by the three fingers of his hand, which he blessed the believers, and then cut the body into parts and dropped into the Tiber. Such an act did not please the Romans and many representatives of the church, and Pope Stephen VI was imprisoned, where he was strangled. The body of Formosa, which was cut to pieces, was fished and reburied in the papal tomb.

John XII

This pontiff is rightfully considered the most immoral daddy not only of his period, but also throughout the history of the Catholic Church. Entering the papal throne at the age of 18, John turned his palace into a brothel and played on the donations of believers. Even an ally of Pope Otto I in a private conversation accused John XII of murder, perjury, blasphemy and incest with sisters. According to some reports, John XII died at the hands of a husband, whom his wife changed with the pontiff. Finding them in bed, an angry husband beat up Dad. As a result of the beating, the pontiff died in three days.

Benedict IX

This pontiff ascended the throne thrice. For the first time, according to conflicting data, he was from 12 to 20 years old. In any case, he was one of the youngest and most infamous popes in the history of the church. The German historian spoke of Benedict as a demon from hell, who ascended to the Catholic throne as a priest. He was accused of murder, theft and adultery. According to the Roman historian, in the papal palace Benedict IX lived as an eastern sultan, surrounded by wealth and concubines.

Boniface VIII

This pope, though not claiming to be the most sinful, is not a model of obedience and faith. After ascension to the throne, he erected monuments to himself throughout Rome and announced that sexual relations with underage boys are no more sinful than rubbing his hands.

During his reign, he demolished the whole city because of political disagreements and earned himself a mortal enemy in the person of the great Dante Alighieri. It is curious that Boniface is in the eighth circle of hell in Dante's work "Divine Comedy."

Sixtus IV

This pontiff was accused of pedophilia and sodomy, and that one of his nephews was a product of incest between Sixtus and his younger sister. However, it is difficult to trace the veracity of these allegations because the pontiff had many influential enemies. In what Sixtus IV can undoubtedly be accused, so it is in nepotism. Virtually all of his nephews were cardinals, and one of them even became a pope. In addition to a negative imprint in the history of the church, Sixtus was a faithful patron of art, science and architecture. He ordered the construction of the famous Sistine Chapel, and also restored many of the destroyed churches in Rome.

Innocent VIII

Innocent ascended the papal throne for the patronage of the Rovere family, to which his predecessor belonged. This is the only pontiff who openly acknowledged his illegitimate children, who were eight. In addition, Innocent went on the occasion of Henry Kramer, the notorious author of The Hammer of the Witches, and issued a bull calling for punishing the witches for his connection with the devil, which led to the famous inquisition processes directed against women throughout Europe.

Alexander VI

At the conclave, only 7 people voted for Alexander, and he went on to bribe, practically having bought the throne from other candidates. In the world of Rodrigo Borgia, he became a pope in 1492. His reign was characterized by incestuous ties, orgies and a huge amount of money. After the murder of his beloved son, the pontiff reconsidered his views on dissolved mores and calmed down, but he did not become less cruel. On his orders, the famous and popular Girolamo Savonarola was hanged, accusing Alexander and other popes of depravity. After Alexander failed to bribe the monk, he ordered the capture and imprisonment of Savonarola, and then sentenced to public execution. This act significantly brought the Reformation closer.

Julius II

Julia II is often called the most merciless dad. He was imperious, quick-tempered and incredibly active, even he participated in military campaigns in Italy, and in the forefront. His reign led to the expansion of the papal possessions and the fall of Venice. Most of all Julius II is known for his patronage of art, surpassing even the efforts of his uncle Sixtus. However, Julius died of complications after syphilis, which he contracted as a result of connections with representatives of the ancient profession. By the end of the life of the pontiff, his stupas were almost completely covered with sores, so much so that believers could not bow before them and kiss them.

Leo X

Leo X belonged to the Medici family and was a renowned patron of art and noble spender. Apart from the fact that he squandered all the treasury left by Julius II, his spending was much higher than the income of the papacy. In order to ensure his luxurious lifestyle, the pontiff began selling indulgences and cardinal posts. This attitude towards sin and absolution has led to outrage from the clergy and even the laity. A scandal broke out, on the coals of which the plans of the reform movement matured.

Paul IV

Paul ascended to the throne at an advanced age, but in the four years of his rule he created an absolute autocracy and increased the influence of the Inquisition. His most terrible order is sending all the Jews into the ghetto and the humiliation that they were subjected to while living there. By order of the pontiff, the synagogues practicing in Rome were also destroyed. Paul IV was so hateful to the people that after his death, the inhabitants of Rome destroyed all of his statues and images.

Urban VIII

The reign of this pontiff was marked by the notorious process of Galileo. The ignorant Pope Urban did not appreciate the scientist's attempt to extend his work on the heliocentric system of the world, and personally presided over the court. He suggested that Galileo publicly abandon his words or stand on the fire, as Giordano Bruno. Galileo preferred to save his life, and the church apologized for such an attitude only after several centuries.