The Deaths of the Popes: Comprehensive Accounts, Including Funerals, Burial Places and Epitaphs - Hardcover

Reardon, Wendy J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786415274 ISBN 13: 9780786415274

Publisher: McFarland Publishing, 2004

Synopsis

The customs and traditions associated with a pope’s death have changed quite a bit from the time when popes were buried in the underground catacombs of Rome. Various ceremonies, rites, and rituals developed over time, but a formal procedure for the death of the pope wasn’t initiated until the early fourteenth century, and even then, the protocol wasn’t always followed to the letter.

This comprehensive reference book provides information on the deaths, funerals, and burial places of each pope and antipope from St. Peter (Apostle) to John Paul I. Among some of the most interesting are the deaths of Innocent X, who was almost gnawed by rats because no one would bury him; Alexander VI, who was stuffed into an old carpet and pummeled into his coffin; and Formosus, whose corpse was physically put on trial. The Introduction presents a brief history of papal funerals and tombs, and also covers modern burials. A unique feature of the book is its presentation of all papal epitaphs, in their original language and in English—many translated for the first time.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

The traditions associated with a pope's death have changed from when they were buried in the catacombs of Rome. Various ceremonies, rites and rituals developed over time, but a formal procedure was not initiated until the early 1300s and even then was not always strictly followed. This comprehensive reference book provides information on the deaths, funerals and burial places of each pope and antipope from St. Peter (Apostle) to John Paul I. (Innocent X was almost gnawed by rats because no one would bury him; Alexander VI was stuffed into a carpet and pummeled into his coffin; and the corpse of Formosus was physically put on trial...) The Introduction presents a brief history of papal funerals and tombs, and also covers modern burials. A unique feature of the book is its presentation of all papal epitaphs, in their original language and in English--many translated for the first time.

About the Author:

Papal historian Wendy J. Reardon lives in Quincy, Massachusetts.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland Publishing
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0786415274
• ISBN 13: 9780786415274
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 310