You have been a bad, bad pope… but how bad?

Think we have it bad under Pope Francis? A former pope dug up the corpse of his predecessor, placed it “on trial” and desecrated the corpse.

By now, most devout Catholics with a respect for orthodoxy and tradition are deeply troubled by the current state of the Church and the corruption that seems to have infiltrated its hierarchy.

Regardless of whether you attend a Novus Ordo Mass, a Traditional Latin Mass, or an Eastern Rite liturgy, conversations about this crisis often end with someone inevitably proclaiming, “But we’ve had bad popes before!”

Such was the case during a recent conversation I had with a faithful traditional priest. We discussed a variety of topics—from my own spiritual journey to the challenges of avoiding the pitfalls of sedevacantism. At one point, while reflecting on Pope Francis’ “shortcomings”, the French priest dramatically threw up his hands and, in his thick accent, exclaimed some variation of that familiar refrain: “But of course, we had bad popes before!”

I realized then how often I, too, had used that line without being able to name more than one or two. Who exactly were these “bad popes,” and what did their failings look like? My curiosity was piqued.

This inspired me to explore the lives of some of the most controversial figures to have occupied the Chair of St. Peter. To that end, I decided to compile a report on those popes who might earn the dubious title of “bad pope”—a term as overused as the anonymous “they” in “they say.”

The history of the papacy is, in hindsight, a testament to God’s unfailing promise to guide His Church, even when its earthly leaders falter. Over the centuries, some popes have been paragons of holiness, while others have succumbed to scandal, corruption, and moral failure.

The following “bad popes” serve as sobering reminders that the divine foundation of the papacy is not negated by the shortcomings of its stewards.

Pope Stephen VI (r. 896–897)

Few episodes in Church history are as grotesque as the "Cadaver Synod" of 897, orchestrated by Pope Stephen VI. Stephen exhumed the body of his predecessor, Pope Formosus, placed it on trial, and desecrated the corpse in a shocking display of vengeance and political intrigue. The scandal deeply tarnished the dignity of the papacy, leaving contemporaries and future historians appalled.

As one contemporary chronicler, Liutprand of Cremona, recounted, Formosus’s body was “stripped of its papal robes, mutilated, and thrown into the Tiber River.” Such actions epitomized the chaos of the 9th and 10th centuries, when the papacy was often a pawn of local Roman politics.

Pope John XI (r. 931–935)

Allegedly the illegitimate son of Pope Sergius III and Marozia, John XI was manipulated by his mother and her family. His papacy was marked by their control rather than his spiritual leadership.

The papacy during this period was widely criticized for being a pawn of secular and corrupt aristocratic families.

Of his papacy historian Liutprand of Cremona remarked, "The papal office was held hostage by the schemes of the powerful."

Pope John XII (r. 955–964)

The election of John XII at the age of eighteen marked the beginning of one of the most scandalous pontificates in history. Known for his debauchery, gambling, and alleged blasphemy, John XII reportedly turned the Lateran Palace into a brothel and engaged in acts of violence and sacrilege.

In a synod convened by Emperor Otto I, John XII was condemned as “a robber, a murderer, and unfit for the priesthood.” The scandal surrounding his reign stands in stark contrast to the integrity of reformers like St. Peter Damian, who would later write: “The nearer people are to the altar, the further they seem to be from God.” John XII’s moral failures highlight the dangers of unworthy men ascending to high office through worldly ambition.

Pope John XIII (r. 965–972)

John XIII was accused of immoral behavior, including nepotism and simony. He was deeply unpopular among the Roman nobility, leading to his imprisonment and eventual exile. His legacy remains tarnished by scandalous reports of his personal life.

Reform-minded leaders were dismayed by the continued corruption in the papacy, though no record exists of specific saints addressing him directly.

Pope Benedict IX (r. 1032–1048)

Benedict IX’s pontificate is notorious for its shocking immorality. Ascending to the papacy as a teenager due to his family’s influence, Benedict engaged in public debauchery, bribery, and violence. St. Peter Damian described him as “a demon from hell in the disguise of a priest,” lamenting that “such a storm of filth has inundated the Church.”

Benedict is infamous for selling the papacy to his godfather, Gregory VI, only to reclaim it later, plunging the Church into chaos. His reign was a catalyst for the Gregorian Reforms, spearheaded by Pope St. Gregory VII, who labored to restore the sanctity of the papacy after decades of corruption.

Pope Boniface VIII (r. 1294–1303)

Boniface VIII is remembered for his authoritarian rule, nepotism, and the infamous conflict with King Philip IV of France. He issued the bull Unam Sanctam (1302), asserting absolute papal authority over secular rulers. Critics accused him of arrogance and greed.

St. Dante Alighieri, in his Divine Comedy, placed Boniface VIII in Hell, reflecting widespread disdain for his character and actions.

One of his contemporaries said "The papacy has become a den of thieves."

Pope Urban VI (r. 1378–1389)

Urban VI’s pontificate began with promise, as he was seen as a reformer committed to ending the Avignon Papacy and returning the papacy to Rome. However, his harshness and despotism alienated many, sparking the Western Schism. His cruelty extended to torturing and killing cardinals who opposed him, prompting one observer to lament that Urban’s behavior was “a greater scandal than the sins he sought to reform.”

Even St. Catherine of Siena, who had ardently supported Urban’s election, was grieved by the disunity and bitterness his leadership caused. In one of her letters, she pleaded for unity in the Church, writing: “We must unite and purify the garden of Holy Church, for the stench of its sin rises to Heaven.”

Pope Alexander VI (r. 1492–1503)

Perhaps the most infamous of the Renaissance popes, Alexander VI exemplified the corruption of his era. As a member of the powerful Borgia family, he engaged in blatant nepotism, simony, and personal immorality. Alexander fathered numerous children and used the papacy to secure wealth and power for his family. His worldly ambitions led some to wonder if he truly believed in God, with contemporaries describing him as “a man of great talent but little faith.”

The scandals of Alexander’s reign helped fuel calls for reform. Savonarola, the fiery Dominican preacher, denounced the moral decadence of the Church, declaring: “The stench of Rome rises to the heavens.” Alexander would ultimately excommunicate Savonarola, but the Dominican’s warnings of divine judgment reverberated throughout Christendom.

Pope Leo X (r. 1513–1521)

Leo X, a Medici pope, is remembered less for doctrinal heresy and more for his lavish lifestyle and indifference to spiritual matters. Famously quoted as saying, “God has given us the papacy; let us enjoy it,” Leo oversaw an era of artistic flourishing but neglected the spiritual crises brewing in Europe. His focus on indulgences to fund the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica directly contributed to Martin Luther’s protests and the Protestant Reformation.

Saints like St. Ignatius of Loyola rose in response to this era of neglect, founding the Jesuits to combat heresy and restore discipline within the Church. Their work highlights the enduring truth that even in times of corruption, God raises saints to heal His Church.

Pope Clement VII (r. 1523–1534)

Clement VII’s indecision and political maneuvering defined his pontificate. His inability to navigate the power struggles between Emperor Charles V and King Henry VIII led to two catastrophic events: the Sack of Rome in 1527 and the schism of the Church in England. His reign was a period of humiliation for the papacy, as even allies questioned his leadership.

St. Thomas More, though loyal to Clement, expressed frustration at the political compromises of his time. Before his martyrdom, More famously declared, “I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first,” a subtle critique of those who placed worldly politics above eternal truths.

Pope Sergius III (r. 904–911)

Sergius III’s reign is notorious for inaugurating the "Pornocracy," a period when the papacy was dominated by corrupt Roman noblewomen, particularly Marozia, who is rumored to have been his mistress. Sergius allegedly fathered an illegitimate son who would later become Pope John XI. His papacy was marked by nepotism and the erosion of moral authority.

Saints and holy men of this period endured these scandals with quiet faith, trusting that God would ultimately purify His Church. Their lives remind us that personal holiness, not political reform, is the true remedy for ecclesiastical corruption.

Pope Paul IV (r. 1555–1559)

Known for his harsh and authoritarian rule, Paul IV imposed strict measures on Jews through the creation of the Roman Ghetto and issued controversial decrees. His rigidity alienated many Catholics.

While no saint directly confronted Paul IV, his actions contrasted with the conciliatory approach of later reformers like St. Charles Borromeo.

Pope Sixtus IV (r. 1471–1484)

Sixtus IV is notorious for his nepotism, appointing six of his nephews to high-ranking positions, including cardinals. He was implicated in the Pazzi Conspiracy (1478), a plot to assassinate Lorenzo de' Medici, which deeply scandalized the Church.

Reformers like Savonarola called for repentance and renewal, condemning the excesses of the papacy.

Pope Innocent VIII (r. 1484–1492)

Innocent VIII openly acknowledged his illegitimate children and arranged advantageous marriages for them. His papacy was marked by nepotism, simony, and a lack of spiritual leadership.

Reformers decried the moral laxity of the papacy, which paved the way for greater corruption during the Renaissance.

Pope Julius II (r. 1503–1513)

Julius II, known as "The Warrior Pope," prioritized military campaigns and territorial expansion over spiritual matters. He famously led armies into battle and engaged in political intrigue.

Erasmus of Rotterdam criticized Julius II in his satirical work Julius Exclusus, portraying him as a pope more concerned with power than piety.

Pope Honorius I (r. 625–638)

Honorius I was posthumously condemned as a heretic by the Third Council of Constantinople (681) for his failure to adequately oppose the Monothelite heresy. This is a rare case of a pope being formally anathematized by an ecumenical council.

The lives of these “bad popes” may shock and scandalize, but they also serve as powerful reminders of God’s fidelity to His Church. Despite the personal failures of these men, the papacy endures as a divinely instituted office, safeguarded by the Holy Spirit. As Christ promised, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

Saints throughout history have shown us how to respond to such crises. St. Catherine of Siena boldly confronted Pope Gregory XI, urging him to return to Rome and reform the Church. St. Peter Damian tirelessly called for moral and spiritual renewal, even as he condemned the corruption of his time. Their examples remind us that true reform begins with personal holiness and prayer.

As Traditionalist Catholics, we can take inspiration from these saints by striving for our own sanctification while praying fervently for our leaders. The failures of the past should not lead us to despair but to a renewed commitment to Christ and His Church. In the words of St. Catherine of Siena, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.”

(Disclaimer: This article by no means implies that the current hierarchy is off the hook…)

Ave Christus Rex!

Recognise and Resist!

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