Pope Saint Silverius

Silverius was the son of Pope Hormisdas, who had been married before entering the clergy. A subdeacon of Rome, he was elected pope in 536 with the support of the Gothic king Theodahad. That same year the Byzantine general Belisarius took Rome for Emperor Justinian. Empress Theodora wanted the deacon Vigilius as pope, hoping he would favor the Monophysites, who denied that Christ has a full human nature.

In March 537 Silverius was falsely accused of plotting to open the city gates to the Goths. He was stripped of his papal robes, deposed and sent into exile in Lycia, and Vigilius was installed in his place. Justinian ordered an inquiry and sent Silverius back to Italy, but he was handed over to Vigilius' agents and banished to the island of Palmarola, near Ponza. He died there later that year from hunger and mistreatment.

Silverius is the patron saint of the island of Ponza, off the coast of Lazio. On June 20 the islanders carry his statue through the streets and out to sea in a procession of decorated boats, with fireworks at night.

Fishermen of Ponza and their descendants in the United States keep his feast with Mass and family gatherings.