Formosus [891-896] Consecrated as bishop by Nicholas [105]; he was a missionary whose main strength was encouraging Christians to combat paganism through letters. He supported the coronation of Arnulf of Carinthia, against the wishes of Charles the Bald (France), who had the favor of John VIII [107]; Guido of Spoleto was forced to crown his son Lambert as Emperor, while the Pope began talks with Arnulf. The Pope sought Arnulf's help to free Italy from the Spoletos.

Boniface VI [896] He suffered from gout when elected and died 15 days later.

Stephen VI [896-897] Elected with the support of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and King of Italy, Lambert. This is one of the most shameful moments in the Church's history. In March 897, a posthumous trial was initiated against Formosus [111], during which Formosus' body was exhumed, dressed in papal vestments, given a defense lawyer, and put on trial. He was found guilty, his election as Pope invalidated, all his appointments and ordinations annulled, his body stripped of its vestments, and his remains thrown into the Tiber River. A few months later, following an earthquake, a mob took advantage of the chaos to assassinate the Pope, strangling him, presumably on the orders of the Spoletos in revenge for the trial known today as the Cadaver Synod or the Synod of Horror.

Romanus [897] Seeing the chaos left by his predecessor, he began the process of rehabilitating Formosus [111] but died 90 days after assuming office. It is hypothesized that he was poisoned.

Theodore II [897] Held power for 20 days. His first order was to return Formosus' remains to St. Peter's Basilica and convened a synod that annulled all decisions from the Synod of Horror, declaring it void. Notably, Lambert of Spoleto's supporters wanted Count of Tusculum, Sergius, as Pope. Theodore was murdered, possibly by poisoning.

John IX [898-900] A Benedictine monk, elected with Lambert of Spoleto's support. He completed the work of his predecessor and, to avoid further violence, decreed that Papal Consecration must take place in the presence of the Emperor's representative. This reversed the Constitutio Lotharii. He also prohibited the tradition of looting bishops' palaces or papal palaces upon their death, declared Arnulf's consecration invalid, and granted all prerogatives to Lambert, his protector. The anti-Formosus faction wanted Sergius [119] as Pope but failed. The Theophylact family began tightening its grip on the papacy.

Benedict IV [900-903] Elected when the throne of the Holy Roman Empire was vacant. Lambert died in 899. Berengar I, King of Italy and grandson of Louis the Pious, claimed the imperial title, but the Pope granted it to Louis III the Blind, hoping he would defend against Hungarian invasions from the north and Saracens from the south. Louis was defeated by Berengar, blinded, and exiled. Lacking support, Benedict sought (a major error) support from the Theophylact family, including Theodora and her daughter Marozia, who would dominate the papacy henceforth.

Leo V [903] Elected Pope, little is known about his papacy. He was imprisoned and murdered 30 days after his election, likely by Pope Sergius III (his successor). Christopher the Priest declared himself Pope (antipope) but was also murdered, allegedly by Sergius III.

Sergius III [904-911] Linked to the Theophylact family and a supporter of the Synod of Horror, where he actively participated. He began the pornocracy¹ period. He attempted to desecrate Formosus' tomb, without success. He married Alberic to Marozia, rumored to be the Pope's mistress. The Cluny Abbey was founded in 910 by William of Aquitaine and linked to the papal estate, initiating the Cluniac reform.

Anastasius III [911-913] Elected with the support of Theodora and Marozia. The second period of the pornocracy. A puppet of the Theophylact family. The conversion of the Normans began during his papacy.

Lando [913-914] Elected with Theodora and Marozia's support. The third period of the pornocracy. Nothing significant is recorded.

John X [914-928] Fiscal agent for the Archbishop of Ravenna. The fourth period of the pornocracy. Favored by Theodora, widow of Theophylact, with whom he had relations. His main role was leading an army for the first time in history, supported by Alberic, to defeat the Saracens at the Battle of Garigliano [916] and permanently expel them. Berengar I was assassinated in 924, the last Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. John appointed the five-year-old Hugh of Vermandois as Archbishop of Reims. He was murdered by Marozia's henchmen for being useless to her family's interests.

Leo VI [928] The fifth period of the pornocracy. No significant events are recorded. He was murdered on Marozia's orders.

Stephen VII [928-931] The sixth period of the pornocracy. He was murdered on Marozia's orders.

John XI [931-935] The seventh and final period of the pornocracy. An illegitimate son of Marozia, reportedly fathered by Alberic, Duke of Spoleto. Became Pope at age 20. Marozia erred by marrying Hugh, King of Italy, prompting a rebellion by her eldest son from her first marriage, Alberic II. He imprisoned his mother with the Pope's and his half-brother's support. John granted Cluny Abbey the power to include monastic houses following their rules. Abbot Hugh rose to prominence and is considered one of the greats in history.