We are sticking with Sylvester II a little longer to cover all the wild myths and legends that surround this most interesting pope. In this episode, we discuss the Devil, demons, necromancy, sorcery, prophesies, buried treasure, incorrupt bodies, vampires and more! And THANK YOU for one million downloads!! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.p…

Pope Sylvester was one of the most brilliant minds of the entire medieval era - but was this incredible skill the result of a deal with the devil? In his episode we discuss the Golden Age of Al-Andalus, the Investiture Controversy, and a very unusual path to becoming pope. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: h…

What happens when a very young emperor appoints his very cool, slightly older cousin to be Pope? Find out with Gregory V! In his episode, we discuss antipopes, excommunications, and the foibles of youth. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspodPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.c…

Will this Drunken Tide escape the trappings of being a puppet pope?! In his episode, we discuss the return of an antipope, a new emperor on the rise, and the beginnings of the Investiture Controversy! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com…

Will Pope John XIV be a "Bold Victory"? That may be hard without eyes, or a tongue. In his episode, we discuss the more popular papal candidate, the more powerful antipope, and the papal naming confusion that will throw a new wrench in the Johns! Thanks John XIV-bis. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: https:/…

Pope Benedict might have been a nepo-baby, but that did not stop him from cracking down on simony, and not seeing the irony! In his episode, we discuss antipope instability, compromise candidates, and how "in Gerusalemme" is actually in Rome. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/…

The time has come for us to rank the pope that never existed! New sources have been uncovered, and this most mysterious man finally has a moment in the light! ...Things get strange. Huge thank you to our contributors! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspo Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: h…

How can we talk about Benedict VI, when everything attributed to him is either a forgery or a misunderstanding? In his episode, we discuss the many confusions, repeated Roman rebellions, and papal fanfiction (Submit your creations for Pope Donus at pontifactspod@gmail.com!) Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: …

As we wrap up our retrospective on the first half of Pontifacts, join us as we discuss the periodization of the papacy. Witness how the pope went from insignificant cult leader to supreme temporal and spiritual authority over a thousand years of ups and downs! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcas…

Can you believe we've made it to the halfway point!? Neither can we! In this episode, we discuss our highest scorers in all of our categories, update the list of top over-all scorers, and reflect back on the wild and wacky pope journey we've been on. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: h…

With Pope John XIII, the White Hen, the Jolly Princess, episode, we have officially reached HALF WAY! In his episode, we discuss a new family, another rebellion, a bizarre punishment, and Liutprand at his most salty. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Ama…

Is Leo VIII a pope, an antipope, or both? In his episode, we discuss his legitimacy, his crimes, and investiture fraud. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactswishlist…

With Benedict V, we've reached the end of the Saeculum Obscurum! Has anything changed? Not really! In his episode, we discuss the defiance of the Romans, blockades and famines, and whether or not "the pope went to the beach." Support Pontifacts: Patreon: patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifac…

Welcome to the FINAL part of the Lost Easter Special! Easter (On Sunday Sunday Sunday!) is the holiest time of the Catholic year, and to celebrate, we invited a group of our favourite podcasters to participate in an actual-play Easter-themed D&D adventure. And now that we're coming up on our podcast anniversary, we also want to thank you for 6 year…

Welcome to the Lost Easter Special! Easter (On Sunday Sunday Sunday!) is the holiest time of the Catholic year, and to celebrate, we invited a group of our favourite podcasters to participate in an actual-play Easter-themed D&D adventure. And now that we're coming up on our podcast anniversary, we also want to thank you for 6 years of amazing, wond…

Welcome to the Lost Easter Special! Easter (On Sunday Sunday Sunday!) is the holiest time of the Catholic year, and to celebrate, we invited a group of our favourite podcasters to participate in an actual-play Easter-themed D&D adventure. After waking up in the catacombs, the disciples of Oily Josh will have to contend with temptation, curses, horr…

Welcome to the Lost Easter Special! Easter (On Sunday Sunday Sunday!) is the holiest time of the Catholic year, and to celebrate, we invited a group of our favourite podcasters to participate in an actual-play Easter-themed D&D adventure. Join the disciples of Oily Josh as they attempt to rob the Remoran Empire. To do so, they will need to convince…

Content Note: This episode contains a discussion of sexual assault. Pope John XII, the "Twilight Sabre", is likely the youngest pope in history. Pope John XII is also considered one of the worst popes in history. Correlation? Yes! In his episode, we discuss debauchery, political betrayal, debauchery, depositions, and more debauchery. Support Pontif…

Agapetus the sanctissimus came to the papacy during the Italian hurly-burly, and there was plenty to contend with. In his episode, we discuss the arrival of the otters and badass medieval women, and Fry gets frazzled about technological Scandinavian kings. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifac…

What does the name Marinus bring to mind? Is it "boats and the sea and Maid Marian"? Or perhaps necromancers and psychics? Well, it should be. In his episode, we discuss canonization, private papal residences, miniatures, and emotional support ducks. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodc…

Pope Steven VIII may not be the nothing pope you expect! In his episode, we discuss Frankish instability and the power of excommunication, a botched assassination, and "biting fish and prostitutes." Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wi…

For the holidays, we've brought you a special popey surprise! But we cannot take any of the credit for this - this poem was written and performed by Umberto Molinatti of the 'So You Think You Can Rule Persia?', a podcast rating and reviewing all the kings of Persia from Deioces to Yazdegerd III. It was simply too perfect not to share. Thank you Umb…

Pope Leo VII has the dubious honour of being our first-ever lost episode! Hopefully he'll remain the only one. In his episode, we discuss Tusculum family squabbles, the Jews of Mainz, and THE biggest Catholic figure of the day... and it's not the pope. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspo…

A few years ago, we inadvertently started a D&D anniversary trend, and as a result, we've gotten to play in a lot of fun history themed one shots! This was one such adventure. Helmed by Ben, the wonderful host of Wittenberg to Westphalia, we explored 10th-century Italy from a whole new perspective... which mostly involved wrestling. This adventure …

With Pope John XI, we're driving into Scandaltown! But will Marozia's son be "Beautiful Revenge", or is that nickname better suited for someone else? In his episode, we discuss one of the youngest popes in history, disastrous marriages, and the worst face ever. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pon…