From Murder to Lust: The worst popes in history and their shocking scandals

When you think of a pope, words like holiness, piety, and solemnity naturally come to mind, and rightly so. Popes are often seen as dignified figures in white robes, offering blessings and upholding the Catholic Church’s moral authority. But history reveals a darker side when the papacy was about power, politics, and pleasure. Here are eight of the most scandalous popes in Church history, remembered not for their holiness but for the chaos, corruption, and controversy they left in their wa