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In 897, the corpse of a pope was exhumed—to be put on trial.
Known as the 'Cadaver Synod,' the posthumous trial of Pope Formosus resulted from the chaos of the ninth century as factions battled for control of the church.
From the Grave
French painter Jean-Paul Laurens re-created the trial of Formosus, dressed in his papal robes and propped up to face justice.
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