# Pope Boniface VI

_Pope_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/pope-boniface-vi
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Pope Boniface VI (Latin: Bonifatius VI; died 26 April 896), a native of Rome, 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. After a pontificate of fifteen days, he is said by some to have died of gout, and by others to have been forcibly ejected to make way for Stephen VI, the candidate of the Spoletan party.

## Quick facts

- **Place of birth:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q178071#P19))
- **Died:** 26 April 896 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q178071#P570))
- **Place of death:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q178071#P20))
- **Occupation:** Catholic priest; Catholic bishop ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q178071#P106))
- **Positions held:** Pope (11 April 896 – 26 April 896) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q178071#P39))

## About

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

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

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. He then likely served as a sub-deacon or priest before his election to the papacy.

## Questions

**What positions has Pope Boniface VI held?**  
Positions held by Pope Boniface VI include: Pope (0896–0896).

## Related

- [Pope Telesphorus](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-telesphorus)
- [Pope Gregory XIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xiii)
- [Pope Clement VII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-clement-vii)
- [Pope Pius I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-pius-i)
- [Pope Boniface I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-boniface-i)
- [Pope Agapetus I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-agapetus-i)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Pope Boniface VI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Boniface_VI) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q178071](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q178071) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Boniface VI.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boniface_VI.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Pope Boniface VI, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Boniface VI.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Pope Boniface VI". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-boniface-vi. Retrieved 6 November 2026.