Pope Silverius's rapid rise to prominence from a deacon to the papacy coincided with the efforts of Ostrogothic king Theodahad, who intended to install a pro-Gothic candidate just before the Gothic War.
11 Facts About Pope Silverius
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Pope Silverius was a legitimate son of Pope Hormisdas, born in Frosinone, Lazio, some time before his father entered the priesthood.
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Pope Silverius was a subdeacon when king Theodahad of the Ostrogoths forced his election and consecration.
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The Liber Pontificalis alleges that Pope Silverius had purchased his elevation from King Theodahad.
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Pope Silverius was sent into exile at Patara in Lycia, whose bishop petitioned the emperor for a fair trial for Pope Silverius.
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However, when Pope Silverius returned to Italy, instead of holding a trial Belisarius handed him over to Vigilius, who according to The Liber Pontificalis banished Pope Silverius to the desolate island Palmarola, where he starved to death a few months later.
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Silverius refused and Vigilius then claimed to Belisarius that Pope Silverius had written to Witiges offering to betray the city.
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Pope Silverius was summoned to the Pincian palace, where he was stripped of his vestments and handed over to Vigilius, who dispatched him into exile.
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Pope Silverius writes that Silverius was accused of offering to betray Rome to the Goths.
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Pope Silverius was later recognized as a saint by popular acclamation, and is the patron saint of the island of Ponza, Italy.
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An apparition of Saint Pope Silverius called them to Palmarola, where they survived.