The question "Which pope was killed by his husband?" touches upon a historical account that, when examined, requires clarification due to the nature of the papacy and its requirements for celibacy. While popes do not have spouses in the conventional sense, historical records associated with violent papal deaths attribute such an event to Pope John XII.
If "killed by his husband" is understood in the context of a jealous spouse seeking retribution for an alleged affair involving the pontiff, then Pope John XII is the figure identified in such a scenario.
The Controversial Death of Pope John XII
Pope John XII, who reigned from 955 to 964 AD, is a controversial figure in papal history, often associated with allegations of moral misconduct. According to historical accounts, his death was reportedly the result of a physical assault. The specific circumstances suggest that he died from a beating inflicted by a jealous husband. This widely cited version of events implies that the assailant was the husband of a woman with whom Pope John XII was reportedly engaged in an adulterous relationship.
His pontificate was turbulent, marked by significant political maneuvering and accusations of a dissolute lifestyle, which ultimately led to a synod in 963 AD that attempted to depose him. Regardless of the exact sequence of events, his demise is often cataloged among the violent or unusual deaths of popes.
