were declared invalid. The papal vestments were torn from his body, the three fingers from his right hand he had used in blessings were cut off, and the corpse was thrown into the Tiber, later to be retrieved by a monk. Following the death of Stephen VI, Formosus' body was reinterred in St Peter's Basilica. Further trials of this nature against deceased persons were banned, but Sergius III (904–911) reapproved the decisions against Formosus. Sergius demanded the re-ordination of the bishops consecrated by Formosus, who in turn had conferred orders on many other clerics, causing great confusion. Later, the validity of Formosus' pontificate was re-reinstated. The decision of Sergius with respect to Formosus has subsequently been universally disregarded by the Catholic Church, since Formosus' condemnation had little to do with piety and more to do with politics. References Footnotes Bibliography This article incorporates text from this public-domain publication. Further reading 810s births 896 deaths 9th-century popes Diplomats of the Holy See Italian popes People from Ostia (Rome) Popes People temporarily excommunicated by the Catholic Church Heads of government who were later imprisoned Clergy from Rome Burials at St. Peter's Basilica