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The pope who exploded due to embalming gone wrong

Pope Pius XII's body was unsalvagable

The pope who exploded due to embalming gone wrong
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Daniela Ayoub
08/05/2025 16:00 ‧ 1 week ago | StarsInsider

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Vatican City

The Vatican was forced to adapt its embalming procedures for popes after the chaotic failure that occurred during Pope Pius XII’s embalming in 1958. The Vatican has its own procedures for embalming its popes, but this time, it all went horribly wrong, resulting in the “severe decomposition” of Pope Pius XII. The story of how the Pope in question ultimately exploded as his body was being transported back to the Vatican after his burial preparations is almost unbelievable.

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