In 897 AD, a genuinely shocking event occurred in Rome. A dead pope was put on trial. You read that right. A corpse, dressed in full church robes, was placed on a throne and judged in front of an audience. This unusual and unforgettable event is known as the Cadaver Synod. It remains one of the most bizarre moments in church history. And yes, it really happened.
Meet Pope Formosus
Pope Formosus began his journey as a bishop and diplomat. He traveled to Bulgaria and France, serving the church and representing the pope. Along the way, he made powerful friends and enemies.
After being excommunicated and later forgiven, Formosus rose to the highest position in the Church: he became Pope. But not everyone was happy about it.
Power Struggles and Political Games
During his time as pope, Formosus clashed with Emperor Guy III and his son, Lambert. The two sides fought for power and control. Formosus didn’t want to crown Lambert as co-emperor, but he was pressured into it.
Behind the scenes, he worked with another noble, Arnulf of Carinthia, to weaken Lambert’s hold on power. This bold move would come back to haunt him.
The Cadaver Synod: A Dead Pope on Trial
Nine months after Pope Formosus died, Pope Stephen VI decided to put him on trial. Yes, even though he was dead.
Stephen had Formosus’s body dug up, dressed in full papal robes, and seated on a throne. A young deacon was told to speak on the dead pope’s behalf during the trial.
In the Cadaver Synod, Stephen screamed at the corpse, accusing it of ruling the church illegally. The trial ended with the court declaring the dead pope guilty.
Punishments for a Corpse
After the Cadaver Synod, Formosus’s body was stripped of its robes. Three of his fingers, used for blessings, were cut off. Then, his body was thrown into the Tiber River.
A fisherman later found the body and kept it, unsure of what to do. Eventually, a new pope, Sergius III, gave Formosus a proper burial and restored his name to the list of popes.
Why the Cadaver Synod Still Matters
The Cadaver Synod raised significant questions. If one pope could cancel another pope’s rule, could any pope be trusted? This event made people wonder if the line of popes—said to go back to Saint Peter—was as sacred as they believed.
The trial of a dead pope wasn’t just creepy. It challenged the very foundation of the papacy.
A Final Word on the Dead Pope
The story of Pope Formosus and the Cadaver Synod sounds like something out of a horror movie or a dark comedy. But it was real—and deeply political.
It reminds us that power struggles, grudges, and dramatic actions are nothing new. Even in the oldest parts of history, people went to wild lengths to win.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Stone talk about random topics and have fun all along the way. If you like learning and laughing a lot while you do, you’ll love TILLN. Watch or listen to this episode right now!
Sources
Related Episodes
Tell Us What You Think of This Content!
Don’t forget to share it with your friends!