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For centuries, the pope has reigned supreme as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church—no ordinary man, but an absolute monarch. When Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by stepping down in 2013, he didn’t submit a resignation letter or host a farewell press conference. He simply declared it was so—because that’s how popes do it. No one outranks the pope on Earth, and his authority isn’t up for debate.
But with great power comes… centuries of intrigue, controversy, and moments that are downright strange. While many believe the pope merely guards the Church’s most sacred traditions, history shows us popes have done everything from reviving the Inquisition to digging up their predecessors for posthumous trials. And that’s just the start.
Let’s take a walk through the most eyebrow-raising episodes from the annals of papal history.
1. The Longest Break-Up in Diplomatic History
After whispers of Catholic involvement in President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, the United States gave the Vatican the cold shoulder—cutting off diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1867. The freeze-out lasted for over a century. It wasn’t until 1984 that the U.S. and Vatican patched things up and reinstated formal relations. Cold wars aren’t just for superpowers, it seems.
2. The Pope vs. Florence: A Medieval Power Move
In 1376, Florence rubbed the papacy the wrong way—and paid the price. The pope excommunicated the entire Florentine government and banned all religious activity in the city. Christian merchants were forbidden from doing business with Florentine firms abroad. Even more extreme, Catholics across Europe were given the green light to enslave Florentine citizens. The message? Don’t mess with the Vatican.
3. The Pope… or the Antipope?
Some Catholics believe the papal throne has been empty since 2013. The theory, known as “Benevacantism,” claims Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation was invalid, making Pope Francis an antipope—a pretender to the throne. While this belief is fringe, it’s fervent. Conspiracy or not, it reveals just how serious Catholics are about their spiritual succession.
4. Pope Pius V: The Inquisitor in a Tiara
Pius V wasn’t just a pope—he was a firebrand. Known for excommunicating Queen Elizabeth I, Pius had already made a name for himself in the Inquisition, where even fellow inquisitors found him a bit… much. Once in power, he doubled down: reviving old charges, exiling Jews, and launching brutal campaigns against Protestants. His policies helped set the stage for the infamous St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. And yes, he became a saint. In a glass coffin, no less.
5. Pope Urban VI: The Drunk Exorcist of Naples
Nicknamed “The Mad Pope,” Urban VI was notorious for his volatile behavior. During a siege on his home, he reportedly leaned out the window and excommunicated enemy soldiers one by one. He drank like a champion—especially at his coronation feast—but became dangerous when drunk. Urban allegedly had five cardinals tortured and killed, dismissing their agony as weakness. Eventually, the Church had enough and ended his reign… with poison.
6. Pope Stephen VI and the Trial of the Dead
If there were an award for wildest papal moment, Stephen VI would win it hands down. Upon becoming pope, he ordered his predecessor’s corpse exhumed and placed on trial in what is now known as the “Cadaver Synod.” The corpse of Pope Formosus was dressed in papal robes, propped on a throne, interrogated, and declared guilty. After the “trial,” the body was mutilated and thrown in the Tiber River. The backlash was so intense that Stephen was later imprisoned and strangled to death. Church drama, medieval edition.
7. Gregory the Great: A Saint with a Spine
Not all popes made history with bloodshed and madness. Pope Gregory I, elected in 590 AD, faced a Rome crumbling under famine and political turmoil. Known for his humility and compassion, Gregory ordered church resources to feed the poor and often gave his own wealth to those in need. He led by example—refusing to eat until others were fed—and set the tone for what Christian charity could look like. It’s no surprise he was made a saint the moment he passed.
The papacy is many things: sacred, political, enduring—and occasionally unhinged. From excommunications to exhumations, it’s clear the history of the popes isn’t just about doctrine and dogma. It’s about power, personality, and, sometimes, pure audacity.