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.

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

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

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

References

1. ^ The golden legend: readings on the saints By Jacobus de Voragine, William Granger Ryan. Princeton University Press. p. 39.
2. ^ Foul Play Suspected in Popes Death? Baltimore Afro-American - Oct 10, 1978
3. ^ Foul Play Suspected in Popes Death? Baltimore Afro-American - Oct 10, 1978
4. ^ 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").
5. ^ The golden legend: readings on the saints By Jacobus de Voragine, William Granger Ryan. Princeton University Press. p. 39.
6. ^ Pope Stephen (VI) VII New Advent.org
7. ^ 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.
8. ^ Pope Benedict VI New Advent.org
9. ^ Pope John XIV NewAdvent.org
10. ^ Pope Boniface VIII NewAdvent.org
11. ^ 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
12. ^ Pope Leo V NewAdvent.org
13. ^ Pope John X NewAdvent.org
14. ^ Pope Clement II NewAdvent.org
15. ^ 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.