10. Paul II Supposedly Died in Bed with a Page Boy
As the successor of the politically active Pius II, Pope Paul II’s only real success was introducing the printing press to Rome. He was vain and selfish, obsessed with his own good looks, although surviving images depict him as the opposite. A lover of appearances and grand display, Paul splurged on fancy clothing and an elegant tiara designed with sapphires, pearls, and diamonds. Ridiculed for wearing blush on his cheeks during public outings, Paul II was widely rumored to be homosexual.
Throughout his pontificate, stories and humorous poems circulated Rome that the pope loved two things: beautiful clothes and gorgeous men. The only thing that Paul loved more than his companions was melons. His favorite food appeared at every meal, and he often ate them until they made him sick. Before his death in 1471, rumors claimed that the pope liked to watch the torture of young boys while devouring a whole table of melons. Although the story is probably false, it didn’t help his reputation.
Paul’s papacy was unimpressive, and no one really noticed when he died. Pope Paul II’s official cause of death listed a heart attack after indulging in too many melons. This report is believable, given his fondness for him. However, another story claims that the pope died in bed with a page boy. As the servant sodomized him, the corpulent Paul’s heart gave out from the excitement. This story is also most likely false, but it has continued for over five hundred years.