Pope Boniface VI

Pope Boniface VI (Latin: Bonifatius VI; died 26 April 896), a native of Rome,^[2] served very briefly as the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States in April of 896. He was elected as a result of riots soon after the death of Pope Formosus on April 4. Prior to his reign, he had twice incurred a sentence of deprivation of orders as a subdeacon and as a priest.^[3] After a pontificate of fifteen days, he is said by some to have died of the gout,^[3] and by others to have been forcibly ejected to make way for Stephen VI, the candidate of the Spoletan party.^[4]

The Papal historian Caesar Baronius describes him as a 'disgusting monster' guilty of adultery and homicide. ^[5]

At a synod in Rome held by John IX in 898, his election was pronounced null and void.^[3]

Little is written about the life of Boniface VI. It is believed by historians that his father was a man called Adrian, who was also a bishop.^[6] He then likely served as a sub-deacon or priest before his election to the papacy. ^[6]

• List of shortest-reigning popes

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