Lentorama 2025: Perfunctory Popes

Day 10: Boniface VI

The late 9th century was a turbulent time for the papacy, as it became involved in controversies involving the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Holy Roman Empire, and the throne of France. Pope Formosus was involved in all of these, and after his death the successor to his successor, Stephen VI, had Formosus exhumed and put on trial in the infamous Cadaver Synod 

But what of the successor to Formosus?

It's not clear why Boniface was elected pope, or what his role was in the church prior to election, or if he even had a role. Some sources credit him with being a subdeacon or a priest, but it's possible he held no clerical position prior to his election. He's also said to have been around 90 when he became pope. So it could just be that the cardinals, in a time of public unrest, decided to put someone on the throne of St. Peter who (a) wasn't involved in the various power plays going on at the time, and (b) wasn't going to be in the position long.

If that was the thinking, the cardinals got more than they bargained for in terms of a short reign. Boniface ruled for just 15 days, with him either dying (of gout or by poison at the behest of the future Stephen VI) or being forced out (also by Philip and/or his supporters). Bonfiace served the second-shortest reign as pope. Who had the shortest reign? You'll just have to keep reading!