List of murdered popes

Several Roman Catholic popes have been murdered. The circumstances have ranged from martyrdom (Pope Stephen I)^[1] to war (Lucius II),^[2] to a beating by a jealous husband (Pope John XII).^[3] A number of other popes have died under circumstances that some believe to be murder, but for which definitive evidence has not been found.

1 Chronological list of martyr popes (assassinated because of defending the faith)^[4]
2 Chronological list of popes murdered
3 Chronological list of popes who are alleged to have been murdered
4 References

Chronological list of martyr popes (assassinated because of defending the faith)^[4]

Saint Peter (64/67), by crucifixion.
Saint Anacletus (88).
Saint Sixtus I (125), traditionally martyred.
Saint Hyginus (142), traditionally martyred.
Saint Pius I (155), by sword.
Saint Anicetus (166), traditionally martyred.
Saint Soter (175), traditionally martyred.
Saint Eleuterus (189), traditionally martyred.
Saint Callixtus I (223).
Saint Fabian (250).
Saint Cornelius (253).
Saint Stephen I (257).^[5]
Saint Sixtus II (258).

Chronological list of popes murdered

Stephen VI (896–897): Strangled^[6]
Stephen VII/(IX) (939–942): Mutilated
John XII (955–964): Murdered by cuckolded husband^[7]
Benedict VI (973–974): Strangled^[8]
John XIV (983–984): Either by starvation, ill-treatment or direct murder^[9]
Gregory V (996–999): Poisoned
Boniface VIII (1294–1303): Death possibly (though unlikely) from the effects of ill-treatment one month before^[10]

Chronological list of popes who are alleged to have been murdered

John VIII (872–882): Allegedly poisoned and then clubbed to death^[11]
Adrian III (884–885): Allegedly poisoned
Leo V (903): Allegedly strangled^[12]
John X (914–928): Allegedly smothered with pillow^[13]
Stephen VII/(VIII) (928–931): Allegedly murdered
Sergius IV (1009–1012): Allegedly murdered
Clement II (1046–1047): Allegedly poisoned^[14]
Damasus II (1048): Allegedly murdered
Benedict XI (1304–1305): Allegedly poisoned; no evidence provided
John Paul I (1978): death just 33 days after Papal election led to conspiracies theories.^[15]

References

^ The golden legend: readings on the saints By Jacobus de Voragine, William Granger Ryan. Princeton University Press. p. 39.
^ Foul Play Suspected in Popes Death? Baltimore Afro-American - Oct 10, 1978
^ Foul Play Suspected in Popes Death? Baltimore Afro-American - Oct 10, 1978
^ most of the history and circumstances of the assassinations of popes in the first three centuries of our era are documented on the Acts of the Martyrs (with the exception of those stated as "traditionally martyred").
^ The golden legend: readings on the saints By Jacobus de Voragine, William Granger Ryan. Princeton University Press. p. 39.
^ Pope Stephen (VI) VII New Advent.org
^ The article Pope John XII at New Advent.org says instead that he died eight days after, according to rumour, having been stricken with paralysis in an act of adultery.
^ Pope Benedict VI New Advent.org
^ Pope John XIV NewAdvent.org
^ Pope Boniface VIII NewAdvent.org
^ Mann, H. (1910). Pope John VIII. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved February 14, 2010 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08423c.htm
^ Pope Leo V NewAdvent.org
^ Pope John X NewAdvent.org
^ Pope Clement II NewAdvent.org
^ Yallop, David A. In God's Name: An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I. Toronto: Bantam Books, 1984. ISBN 978-0-553-05073-8.

List of murdered popes

Contents

Chronological list of martyr popes (assassinated because of defending the faith)[4]

Chronological list of popes murdered

Chronological list of popes who are alleged to have been murdered

References

Chronological list of martyr popes (assassinated because of defending the faith)^[4]