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List of sexually active popes

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of sexually active popes

This is a list of sexually active popes, Catholic priests who were not celibate before they became pope, and those who were legally married before becoming pope. Some candidates were allegedly sexually active before their election as pope, and others were thought to have been sexually active during their papacies. A number of them had children. There are various classifications for those who were sexually active during their lives. Allegations of sexual activities are of varying levels of reliability, with contemporary political or religious opponents have made several. Some claims are generally accepted by modern historians, while other remain more contested.

Tables

· Popes who were legally married
Felix III
Felix III
Name → Saint Peter
Felix III
Reign(s) → 30/33–64/68
483–492
Relationship → Mother-in-law (Greek πενθερά, penthera) is mentioned in the Gospel verses Matthew 8:14–15, Luke 4:38, Mark 1:29–31, and who was healed by Jesus at her home in Capernaum. 1 Cor. 9:5 asks whether others have the right to be accompanied by Christian wives as does "Cephas" (Peter). Clement of Alexandria wrote: "When the blessed Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her summons and her return home, and called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, 'Remember the Lord.' Such was the marriage of the blessed, and their perfect disposition toward those dearest to them".
Widowed before his election as pope
Offspring → Yes
Yes
Notes → Later legends, dating from the 6th century onwards, suggested that Peter had a daughter – identified as Saint Petronilla. This connection is likely to be a result of the similarity of their names.
Himself the son of a priest, Felix fathered two children, one of whom was subsequently the mother of Pope Gregory I, making the latter his grandson.
Hormisdas
Hormisdas
Name → Saint Peter
Hormisdas
Reign(s) → 30/33–64/68
514–523
Relationship → Mother-in-law (Greek πενθερά, penthera) is mentioned in the Gospel verses Matthew 8:14–15, Luke 4:38, Mark 1:29–31, and who was healed by Jesus at her home in Capernaum. 1 Cor. 9:5 asks whether others have the right to be accompanied by Christian wives as does "Cephas" (Peter). Clement of Alexandria wrote: "When the blessed Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her summons and her return home, and called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, 'Remember the Lord.' Such was the marriage of the blessed, and their perfect disposition toward those dearest to them".
Widowed before he took holy orders
Offspring → Yes
Yes
Notes → Later legends, dating from the 6th century onwards, suggested that Peter had a daughter – identified as Saint Petronilla. This connection is likely to be a result of the similarity of their names.
Father of Pope Silverius
Adrian II
Adrian II
Name → Saint Peter
Adrian II
Reign(s) → 30/33–64/68
867–872
Relationship → Mother-in-law (Greek πενθερά, penthera) is mentioned in the Gospel verses Matthew 8:14–15, Luke 4:38, Mark 1:29–31, and who was healed by Jesus at her home in Capernaum. 1 Cor. 9:5 asks whether others have the right to be accompanied by Christian wives as does "Cephas" (Peter). Clement of Alexandria wrote: "When the blessed Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her summons and her return home, and called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, 'Remember the Lord.' Such was the marriage of the blessed, and their perfect disposition toward those dearest to them".
Married to Stephania before he took holy orders, she was still living when he was elected pope and resided with him in the Lateran Palace.
Offspring → Yes
Yes (a daughter)
Notes → Later legends, dating from the 6th century onwards, suggested that Peter had a daughter – identified as Saint Petronilla. This connection is likely to be a result of the similarity of their names.
His wife and daughter both resided with him until they were murdered by Eleutherius, brother of Anastasius Bibliothecarius, the Church's chief librarian.
John XVII
John XVII
Name → Saint Peter
John XVII
Reign(s) → 30/33–64/68
1003
Relationship → Mother-in-law (Greek πενθερά, penthera) is mentioned in the Gospel verses Matthew 8:14–15, Luke 4:38, Mark 1:29–31, and who was healed by Jesus at her home in Capernaum. 1 Cor. 9:5 asks whether others have the right to be accompanied by Christian wives as does "Cephas" (Peter). Clement of Alexandria wrote: "When the blessed Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her summons and her return home, and called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, 'Remember the Lord.' Such was the marriage of the blessed, and their perfect disposition toward those dearest to them".
Married before his election as pope
Offspring → Yes
Yes (three sons)
Notes → Later legends, dating from the 6th century onwards, suggested that Peter had a daughter – identified as Saint Petronilla. This connection is likely to be a result of the similarity of their names.
All of his children became priests
Clement IV
Clement IV
Name → Saint Peter
Clement IV
Reign(s) → 30/33–64/68
1265–1268
Relationship → Mother-in-law (Greek πενθερά, penthera) is mentioned in the Gospel verses Matthew 8:14–15, Luke 4:38, Mark 1:29–31, and who was healed by Jesus at her home in Capernaum. 1 Cor. 9:5 asks whether others have the right to be accompanied by Christian wives as does "Cephas" (Peter). Clement of Alexandria wrote: "When the blessed Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her summons and her return home, and called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, 'Remember the Lord.' Such was the marriage of the blessed, and their perfect disposition toward those dearest to them".
Widowed before taking holy orders
Offspring → Yes
Yes (two daughters)
Notes → Later legends, dating from the 6th century onwards, suggested that Peter had a daughter – identified as Saint Petronilla. This connection is likely to be a result of the similarity of their names.
Both children entered a convent
Honorius IV
Honorius IV
Name → Saint Peter
Honorius IV
Reign(s) → 30/33–64/68
1285–1287
Relationship → Mother-in-law (Greek πενθερά, penthera) is mentioned in the Gospel verses Matthew 8:14–15, Luke 4:38, Mark 1:29–31, and who was healed by Jesus at her home in Capernaum. 1 Cor. 9:5 asks whether others have the right to be accompanied by Christian wives as does "Cephas" (Peter). Clement of Alexandria wrote: "When the blessed Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her summons and her return home, and called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, 'Remember the Lord.' Such was the marriage of the blessed, and their perfect disposition toward those dearest to them".
Widowed before entering the clergy
Offspring → Yes
Yes (at least two sons)
Name
Reign(s)
Relationship
Offspring
Notes
Saint Peter
30/33–64/68
Mother-in-law (Greek πενθερά, penthera) is mentioned in the Gospel verses Matthew 8:14–15, Luke 4:38, Mark 1:29–31, and who was healed by Jesus at her home in Capernaum. 1 Cor. 9:5 asks whether others have the right to be accompanied by Christian wives as does "Cephas" (Peter). Clement of Alexandria wrote: "When the blessed Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her summons and her return home, and called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, 'Remember the Lord.' Such was the marriage of the blessed, and their perfect disposition toward those dearest to them".
Yes
Later legends, dating from the 6th century onwards, suggested that Peter had a daughter – identified as Saint Petronilla. This connection is likely to be a result of the similarity of their names.
Felix III
483–492
Widowed before his election as pope
Yes
Himself the son of a priest, Felix fathered two children, one of whom was subsequently the mother of Pope Gregory I, making the latter his grandson.
Hormisdas
514–523
Widowed before he took holy orders
Yes
Father of Pope Silverius
Adrian II
867–872
Married to Stephania before he took holy orders, she was still living when he was elected pope and resided with him in the Lateran Palace.
Yes (a daughter)
His wife and daughter both resided with him until they were murdered by Eleutherius, brother of Anastasius Bibliothecarius, the Church's chief librarian.
John XVII
1003
Married before his election as pope
Yes (three sons)
All of his children became priests
Clement IV
1265–1268
Widowed before taking holy orders
Yes (two daughters)
Both children entered a convent
Honorius IV
1285–1287
Widowed before entering the clergy
Yes (at least two sons)
· Fathered illegitimate children before holy orders
Innocent VIII
Innocent VIII
Name → Pius II
Innocent VIII
Reign → 1458–1464
1484–1492
Relationship → Not married
Not married
Offspring → Yes (at least two)
Yes (two)
Notes → Two children, both born before he formally entered the clergy. The first child, fathered while in Scotland, died in infancy. A second child fathered while in Strasbourg with a Breton woman named Elizabeth died 14 months later. He delayed becoming a cleric because of the requirement of chastity.
Both born before he entered the clergy. Married elder son Franceschetto Cybo to the daughter of Lorenzo de' Medici, who in return obtained the cardinal's hat for his 13-year-old son Giovanni, who became Pope Leo X. His daughter Teodorina Cybo married Gerardo Usodimare.
Clement VII
1523
1523–1534
Clement VII
Name → Pius II
Clement VII
Reign → 1458–1464
1523–1534
Relationship → Not married
Not married. Relationship with a servant or slave girl – possibly Simonetta da Collevecchio
Offspring → Yes (at least two)
Yes (one)
Notes → Two children, both born before he formally entered the clergy. The first child, fathered while in Scotland, died in infancy. A second child fathered while in Strasbourg with a Breton woman named Elizabeth died 14 months later. He delayed becoming a cleric because of the requirement of chastity.
Identified as Alessandro de' Medici, Duke of Florence
Name
Reign
Relationship
Offspring
Notes
Pius II
1458–1464
Not married
Yes (at least two)
Two children, both born before he formally entered the clergy. The first child, fathered while in Scotland, died in infancy. A second child fathered while in Strasbourg with a Breton woman named Elizabeth died 14 months later. He delayed becoming a cleric because of the requirement of chastity.
Innocent VIII
1484–1492
Not married
Yes (two)
Both born before he entered the clergy. Married elder son Franceschetto Cybo to the daughter of Lorenzo de' Medici, who in return obtained the cardinal's hat for his 13-year-old son Giovanni, who became Pope Leo X. His daughter Teodorina Cybo married Gerardo Usodimare.
Clement VII
1523–1534
Not married. Relationship with a servant or slave girl – possibly Simonetta da Collevecchio
Yes (one)
Identified as Alessandro de' Medici, Duke of Florence
· Known to or suspected of having fathered illegitimate children after receiving holy orders
Paul III
1534
1534–1549
Paul III
Name → Julius II
Paul III
Reign → 1503–1513
1534–1549
Relationship → Not married
Not married. Silvia Ruffini as mistress
Offspring → Yes (three daughters)
Yes (three sons and one daughter)
Notes → Three illegitimate daughters, one of whom was Felice della Rovere (born in 1483, twenty years before his election as pope, and twelve years after his enthronement as bishop of Lausanne). The schismatic Conciliabulum of Pisa, which sought to depose him in 1511, also accused him of being a "sodomite".
Held off ordination in order to continue his lifestyle, fathering four illegitimate children (three sons and one daughter) by Silvia Ruffini after his appointment as cardinal-deacon of Santi Cosimo and Damiano. He broke his relations with her ca. 1513. He made his illegitimate son Pier Luigi Farnese the first duke of Parma.
Pius IV
1559
1559–1565
Pius IV
Name → Julius II
Pius IV
Reign → 1503–1513
1559–1565
Relationship → Not married
Not married
Offspring → Yes (three daughters)
Allegedly three
Notes → Three illegitimate daughters, one of whom was Felice della Rovere (born in 1483, twenty years before his election as pope, and twelve years after his enthronement as bishop of Lausanne). The schismatic Conciliabulum of Pisa, which sought to depose him in 1511, also accused him of being a "sodomite".
One was a son born in 1541 or 1542. He also had two daughters.
Gregory XIII
1572
1572–1585
Gregory XIII
Name → Julius II
Gregory XIII
Reign → 1503–1513
1572–1585
Relationship → Not married
Not married. Affair with Maddalena Fulchini
Offspring → Yes (three daughters)
Yes
Notes → Three illegitimate daughters, one of whom was Felice della Rovere (born in 1483, twenty years before his election as pope, and twelve years after his enthronement as bishop of Lausanne). The schismatic Conciliabulum of Pisa, which sought to depose him in 1511, also accused him of being a "sodomite".
Received the ecclesiastical tonsure in Bologna in June 1539, and subsequently had an affair that resulted in the birth of Giacomo Boncompagni in 1548. Giacomo remained illegitimate, with Gregory later appointing him Gonfalonier of the Church, governor of the Castel Sant'Angelo and Fermo.
Leo XII
1823
1823–1829
Leo XII
Name → Julius II
Leo XII
Reign → 1503–1513
1823–1829
Relationship → Not married
Not married
Offspring → Yes (three daughters)
Allegedly three
Notes → Three illegitimate daughters, one of whom was Felice della Rovere (born in 1483, twenty years before his election as pope, and twelve years after his enthronement as bishop of Lausanne). The schismatic Conciliabulum of Pisa, which sought to depose him in 1511, also accused him of being a "sodomite".
As a young prelate, he came under suspicion of having a liaison with the wife of a Swiss Guard soldier and, as nuncio in Germany, allegedly fathered three illegitimate children.
Name
Reign
Relationship
Offspring
Notes
Julius II
1503–1513
Not married
Yes (three daughters)
Three illegitimate daughters, one of whom was Felice della Rovere (born in 1483, twenty years before his election as pope, and twelve years after his enthronement as bishop of Lausanne). The schismatic Conciliabulum of Pisa, which sought to depose him in 1511, also accused him of being a "sodomite".
Paul III
1534–1549
Not married. Silvia Ruffini as mistress
Yes (three sons and one daughter)
Held off ordination in order to continue his lifestyle, fathering four illegitimate children (three sons and one daughter) by Silvia Ruffini after his appointment as cardinal-deacon of Santi Cosimo and Damiano. He broke his relations with her ca. 1513. He made his illegitimate son Pier Luigi Farnese the first duke of Parma.
Pius IV
1559–1565
Not married
Allegedly three
One was a son born in 1541 or 1542. He also had two daughters.
Gregory XIII
1572–1585
Not married. Affair with Maddalena Fulchini
Yes
Received the ecclesiastical tonsure in Bologna in June 1539, and subsequently had an affair that resulted in the birth of Giacomo Boncompagni in 1548. Giacomo remained illegitimate, with Gregory later appointing him Gonfalonier of the Church, governor of the Castel Sant'Angelo and Fermo.
Leo XII
1823–1829
Not married
Allegedly three
As a young prelate, he came under suspicion of having a liaison with the wife of a Swiss Guard soldier and, as nuncio in Germany, allegedly fathered three illegitimate children.
· Popes alleged to be sexually active during pontificate › Relationships with women
John X
John X
Name → Sergius III
John X
Reign → 904–911
914–928
Relationship → Not married
Not married. Affairs with Theodora and Marozia
Offspring → Yes (at least one)
No
Notes → Accused of being the illegitimate father of Pope John XI by Marozia, the fifteen-year-old daughter of Theodora and Theophylact I, Count of Tusculum. Such accusations lay in Liutprand of Cremona's Antapodosis and the Liber Pontificalis. The accusations have discrepancies with another early source, the annalist Flodoard (c. 894–966): John XI was the brother of Alberic II, the latter being the offspring of Marozia and her husband Alberic I, so John too may have been the son of Marozia and Alberic I.[citation needed] Fauvarque emphasises that contemporary sources are dubious, Liutprand being "prone to exaggeration" while other mentions of this fatherhood appear in satires written by supporters of Pope Formosus.
Had romantic affairs with both Theodora and her daughter Marozia, according to Liutprand of Cremona in his Antapodosis. However, Monsignor Johann Peter Kirsch (ecclesiastical historian and Catholic priest) wrote, "This statement is, however, generally and rightly rejected as a calumny. Liutprand wrote his history some fifty years later, and constantly slandered the Romans, whom he hated."
John XII
John XII
Name → Sergius III
John XII
Reign → 904–911
955–964
Relationship → Not married
Not married
Offspring → Yes (at least one)
No
Notes → Accused of being the illegitimate father of Pope John XI by Marozia, the fifteen-year-old daughter of Theodora and Theophylact I, Count of Tusculum. Such accusations lay in Liutprand of Cremona's Antapodosis and the Liber Pontificalis. The accusations have discrepancies with another early source, the annalist Flodoard (c. 894–966): John XI was the brother of Alberic II, the latter being the offspring of Marozia and her husband Alberic I, so John too may have been the son of Marozia and Alberic I.[citation needed] Fauvarque emphasises that contemporary sources are dubious, Liutprand being "prone to exaggeration" while other mentions of this fatherhood appear in satires written by supporters of Pope Formosus.
Accused by adversaries of adultery and incest. Benedict of Soracte noted that he had "a collection of women". According to Liutprand of Cremona, "they testified about his adultery, which they did not see with their own eyes, but nonetheless knew with certainty: he had fornicated with the widow of Rainier, with Stephana his father's concubine, with the widow Anna, and with his own niece, and he made the sacred palace into a whorehouse". According to Chamberlin, John was "a Christian Caligula whose crimes were rendered particularly horrific by the office he held". Some sources report that he died eight days after being stricken by paralysis while in the act of adultery, others that he was killed by the jealous husband while in the act of committing adultery.
Alexander VI
Alexander VI
Name → Sergius III
Alexander VI
Reign → 904–911
1492–1503
Relationship → Not married
Not married. Relationships with Vanozza dei Catanei and Giulia Farnese
Offspring → Yes (at least one)
Yes
Notes → Accused of being the illegitimate father of Pope John XI by Marozia, the fifteen-year-old daughter of Theodora and Theophylact I, Count of Tusculum. Such accusations lay in Liutprand of Cremona's Antapodosis and the Liber Pontificalis. The accusations have discrepancies with another early source, the annalist Flodoard (c. 894–966): John XI was the brother of Alberic II, the latter being the offspring of Marozia and her husband Alberic I, so John too may have been the son of Marozia and Alberic I.[citation needed] Fauvarque emphasises that contemporary sources are dubious, Liutprand being "prone to exaggeration" while other mentions of this fatherhood appear in satires written by supporters of Pope Formosus.
Had a long affair with Vannozza dei Cattanei while still a priest, and before he became pope; and by her had his illegitimate children Cesare Borgia, Giovanni Borgia, Gioffre Borgia, and Lucrezia. A later mistress, Giulia Farnese, was the sister of Alessandro Farnese, giving birth to a daughter Laura while Alexander was in his 60s and reigning as pope.
Name
Reign
Relationship
Offspring
Notes
Sergius III
904–911
Not married
Yes (at least one)
Accused of being the illegitimate father of Pope John XI by Marozia, the fifteen-year-old daughter of Theodora and Theophylact I, Count of Tusculum. Such accusations lay in Liutprand of Cremona's Antapodosis and the Liber Pontificalis. The accusations have discrepancies with another early source, the annalist Flodoard (c. 894–966): John XI was the brother of Alberic II, the latter being the offspring of Marozia and her husband Alberic I, so John too may have been the son of Marozia and Alberic I.[citation needed] Fauvarque emphasises that contemporary sources are dubious, Liutprand being "prone to exaggeration" while other mentions of this fatherhood appear in satires written by supporters of Pope Formosus.
John X
914–928
Not married. Affairs with Theodora and Marozia
No
Had romantic affairs with both Theodora and her daughter Marozia, according to Liutprand of Cremona in his Antapodosis. However, Monsignor Johann Peter Kirsch (ecclesiastical historian and Catholic priest) wrote, "This statement is, however, generally and rightly rejected as a calumny. Liutprand wrote his history some fifty years later, and constantly slandered the Romans, whom he hated."
John XII
955–964
Not married
No
Accused by adversaries of adultery and incest. Benedict of Soracte noted that he had "a collection of women". According to Liutprand of Cremona, "they testified about his adultery, which they did not see with their own eyes, but nonetheless knew with certainty: he had fornicated with the widow of Rainier, with Stephana his father's concubine, with the widow Anna, and with his own niece, and he made the sacred palace into a whorehouse". According to Chamberlin, John was "a Christian Caligula whose crimes were rendered particularly horrific by the office he held". Some sources report that he died eight days after being stricken by paralysis while in the act of adultery, others that he was killed by the jealous husband while in the act of committing adultery.
Alexander VI
1492–1503
Not married. Relationships with Vanozza dei Catanei and Giulia Farnese
Yes
Had a long affair with Vannozza dei Cattanei while still a priest, and before he became pope; and by her had his illegitimate children Cesare Borgia, Giovanni Borgia, Gioffre Borgia, and Lucrezia. A later mistress, Giulia Farnese, was the sister of Alessandro Farnese, giving birth to a daughter Laura while Alexander was in his 60s and reigning as pope.
· Popes alleged to be sexually active during pontificate › Relationships with men
Sixtus IV
Sixtus IV
Name → Paul II
Sixtus IV
Reign → 1464–1471
1471–1484
Relationship → Not married. Alleged affair with a page
Not married
Notes → Thought to have died of indigestion arising from eating melon, though his opponents alleged he died while being sodomized by a page.
According to Stefano Infessura, Sixtus was a "lover of boys and sodomites" – awarding benefices and bishoprics in return for sexual favours, and nominating a number of young men as cardinals, some of whom were celebrated for their good looks. Infessura had partisan allegiances to the Colonna family and so is not considered to be always reliable or impartial.
Leo X
1513
1513–1521
Leo X
Name → Paul II
Leo X
Reign → 1464–1471
1513–1521
Relationship → Not married. Alleged affair with a page
Not married
Notes → Thought to have died of indigestion arising from eating melon, though his opponents alleged he died while being sodomized by a page.
Posthumously accused of homosexuality (by Francesco Guicciardini and Paolo Giovio). Falconi suggests he may have offered preferment to Marcantonio Flaminio because he was attracted to him. Historians have dealt with the issue of Leo's sexuality at least since the late 18th century, and few have given credence to the imputations made against him in his later years and decades following his death, or else have at least regarded them as unworthy of notice; without necessarily reaching conclusions on whether he was homosexual.
Julius III
1550
1550–1555
Julius III
Name → Paul II
Julius III
Reign → 1464–1471
1550–1555
Relationship → Not married. Alleged affair with a page
Not married. Alleged affair with ennobled cardinal
Notes → Thought to have died of indigestion arising from eating melon, though his opponents alleged he died while being sodomized by a page.
Accusations of his homosexuality spread across Europe during his reign due to the favouritism shown to Innocenzo Ciocchi Del Monte, who rose from beggar to cardinal under Julius' patronage.
Paul VI
1963
1963–1978
Paul VI
Name → Paul II
Paul VI
Reign → 1464–1471
1963–1978
Relationship → Not married. Alleged affair with a page
Not married. Alleged affair with Italian actor Paolo Carlini
Notes → Thought to have died of indigestion arising from eating melon, though his opponents alleged he died while being sodomized by a page.
In 1976, Paul VI became the first modern pope to publicly deny allegations of homosexuality, which had been raised by Roger Peyrefitte. The allegations have resurfaced periodically since and have been deemed credible by some sources.
Name
Reign
Relationship
Notes
Paul II
1464–1471
Not married. Alleged affair with a page
Thought to have died of indigestion arising from eating melon, though his opponents alleged he died while being sodomized by a page.
Sixtus IV
1471–1484
Not married
According to Stefano Infessura, Sixtus was a "lover of boys and sodomites" – awarding benefices and bishoprics in return for sexual favours, and nominating a number of young men as cardinals, some of whom were celebrated for their good looks. Infessura had partisan allegiances to the Colonna family and so is not considered to be always reliable or impartial.
Leo X
1513–1521
Not married
Posthumously accused of homosexuality (by Francesco Guicciardini and Paolo Giovio). Falconi suggests he may have offered preferment to Marcantonio Flaminio because he was attracted to him. Historians have dealt with the issue of Leo's sexuality at least since the late 18th century, and few have given credence to the imputations made against him in his later years and decades following his death, or else have at least regarded them as unworthy of notice; without necessarily reaching conclusions on whether he was homosexual.
Julius III
1550–1555
Not married. Alleged affair with ennobled cardinal
Accusations of his homosexuality spread across Europe during his reign due to the favouritism shown to Innocenzo Ciocchi Del Monte, who rose from beggar to cardinal under Julius' patronage.
Paul VI
1963–1978
Not married. Alleged affair with Italian actor Paolo Carlini
In 1976, Paul VI became the first modern pope to publicly deny allegations of homosexuality, which had been raised by Roger Peyrefitte. The allegations have resurfaced periodically since and have been deemed credible by some sources.
· Popes alleged to be sexually active during pontificate › Relationships with women and men
Name
Reign
Relationship
Offspring
Notes
Benedict IX
1032–1044, 1045, 1047–1048
Not married
No
Accused by Bishop Benno of Piacenza of "many vile adulteries". Pope Victor III referred in his third book of Dialogues to "his rapes... and other unspeakable acts". In May 1045, Benedict IX resigned his office to get married.

References

  1. This allegation is disputed by some modern historians.
  2. Mark 1:29–31
    https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Mark%201:29–31&version=nrsv
  3. Matthew 8:14–15
    https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew%208:14–15&version=nrsv
  4. Luke 4:38–39
    https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke%204:38–39&version=nrsv
  5. 1 Timothy 3:2–12
    https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1%20Timothy%203:2–12&version=nrsv
  6. Titus 1:6
    https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Titus%201:6&version=nrsv
  7. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Celibacy_of_the_Clergy
  8. Cited by Eusebius, Church History, III, 30. Full text at Clement of Alexandria, Stromata VII, 11
    http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250103.htm
  9. Newadvent.org
    http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250103.htm
  10. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/St._Petronilla
  11. "St. Peter's – Altar of St Petronilla"
    http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Altars/StPetronilla/StPetronilla.htm
  12. R.A. Markus, Gregory the Great and his world (Cambridge: University Press, 1997), p.8
  13. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_St._Hormisdas
  14. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_Adrian_II
  15. Księga Papieży
  16. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_John_XVII_(XVIII)
  17. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_Clement_IV
  18. "The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church: Cardinal Giacomo Savelli"
    https://cardinals.fiu.edu/bios1261.htm
  19. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_Pius_II
  20. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_Innocent_VIII
  21. The Life of Girolamo Savonarola
    https://archive.org/details/lifeofgirolamosa00rido
  22. George L. Williams, Papal Genealogy: The Families And Descendants Of The Popes, page 74: "Clement now made Alessandro de
  23. Mara Wade, Gender Matters: Discourses of violence in early modern literature and the arts, Editions Rodopi, 2013
  24. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_Julius_II
  25. Louis Crompton, Homosexuality and Civilization, page 278 (Harvard University Press, 2006) ISBN 978-0-674-01197-7
  26. Jean de Pins, Letters and Letter Fragments, page 292, footnote 5 (Libraire Droze S.A., 2007) ISBN 978-2-600-01101-3
  27. Katherine McIver, Women, Art, And Architecture in Northern Italy, 1520–1580: Negotiating Power, page 26 (Ashgate Publish
  28. Pius IV and the Fall of The Carafa: Nepotism and Papal Authority in Counter-Reformation Rome (page 34)
  29. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_Gregory_XIII
  30. "The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church: Ugo Boncompagni"
    https://cardinals.fiu.edu/bios1565.htm#Boncompagni
  31. Letters from Rome in: The New Monthly Magazine and Literary Journal, Tom 11, pp. 468–471.
    https://books.google.com/books?id=LUU5AQAAMAAJ&q=Della+Genga+children&pg=PA468
  32. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_Sergius_III
  33. George Williams, Papal Genealogy: The family and descendants of the Popes, McFarland, 1998
  34. Foundations
    http://fmg.ac/phocadownload/userupload/foundations1/issue1/05Popes.pdf
  35. Liber Pontificalis (first ed., 500s; it has papal biographies up to Pius II, d. 1464)
  36. Reverend Horace K. Mann, The Lives of the Popes in the Early Middle Ages, Volumes 1–13 quote: "Was John XI the son of Po
  37. Anura Gurugé, The Next Pope: After Pope Benedict XVI, page 37: "John XI (#126) would also appear to have been born out o
  38. Fauvarque, Bertrand (2003). "De la tutelle de l'aristocratie italienne à celle des empereurs germaniques". In Y.-M. Hila
  39. Joseph McCabe, Crises in The history of The Papacy: A Study of Twenty Famous Popes whose Careers and whose Influence wer
  40. Kirsch, Johann Peter. "Pope John X." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 23 Septe
    http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08425b.htm
  41. Catholic Encyclopedia
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Pope_John_XII
  42. Decline and Fall of the Roman Church
    https://archive.org/details/declinefalloft00mala
  43. The Bad Popes by E. R. Chamberlin
  44. Peter de Rosa, Vicars of Christ: The Dark Side of the Papacy, Poolbeg Press, Dublin 1988/2000, pages 211–215.
  45. Hans Kung, The Catholic Church: A Short History (translated by John Bowden), Modern Library, New York. 2001/2003. page 7
  46. The Popes' Rights & Wrongs, published by Truber & Co., 1860
  47. Dr. Angelo S. Rappaport, The Love Affairs of the Vatican, 1912
  48. Eamon Duffy, Saints and Sinners: A history of the popes, Yale University Press, 2006
  49. Paolo II in Enciclopedia dei Papi", Enciclopedia Treccani, http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/paolo-ii_%28Enciclopedia_
    http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/paolo-ii_%28Enciclopedia_dei_Papi%29/
  50. "Vita Pauli Secundi Pontificis Maximi", Michael Canensius, 1734 p. 175
    https://books.google.com/books?id=9HwuAQAAIAAJ&q=1471&pg=PA175
  51. Leonie Frieda, The Deadly Sisterhood: A Story of Women, Power, and Intrigue in the Italian Renaissance, 1427–1527, chapt
  52. Karlheinz Deschner, Storia criminale del cristianesimo (tomo VIII), Ariele, Milano, 2007, pag. 216. Nigel Cawthorne, Das
  53. Claudio Rendina, I Papi, Storia e Segreti, Newton Compton, Roma, 1983, p. 589
  54. Studies in the psychology of sex — Havelock Ellis — Google Boeken
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  55. Sex Lives of the Popes
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/185375546X
  56. Stefano Infessura, Diario della città di Roma (1303–1494), Ist. St. italiano, Tip. Forzani, Roma 1890, pp. 155–156
  57. Egmont Lee, Sixtus IV and Men of Letters, Rome, 1978
  58. C. Falconi, Leone X, Milan, 1987
  59. Those who have rejected the evidence include: Fabroni, Angelo, Leone X: Pontificis Maximi Vita, Pisa (1797) at p. 165 wi
  60. "Julius III"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071011091614/http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/julius_III.html
  61. Idealized Male Friendship in French Narrative from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment
  62. Observer Reporter
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19760405&id=6G5eAAAAIBAJ&pg=1676,395778&hl=en
  63. Corriere Della Sera
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141017184849/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2006/gennaio/27/Dossier_tentato_ricatto_Paolo_VI_co_9_060127066.shtml
  64. Dümmler, Ernst Ludwig
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070713211642/http://www.uan.it/alim/letteratura.nsf/%28volumiID%29/A9E60829767DA2D2C1256D6B0074177B/%24FILE/AlimBonizoAdamicum.doc?openelement
  65. The Book of Saints, by Ramsgate Benedictine Monks of St. Augustine's Abbey, A. C. Black, 1989. ISBN 978-0-7136-5300-7
  66. Victor III, Pope
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070715072854/http://www.uan.it/alim/letteratura.nsf/%28volumiID%29/D8115E7BB6446DC9C1256D660075CE62/%24FILE/AlimDesiderioDialogi.doc?openelement
  67. Dr. Angelo S. Rappaport, The Love Affairs of the Vatican, 1912, pp. 81–82.
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