Pope Stephen VI, who served as pope from 896 to 897, is best known for his controversial actions during a period of political turmoil in the Papacy. He is infamous for the "Cadaver Synod," where he put the deceased body of his predecessor, Pope Formosus, on trial. This bizarre event aimed to discredit Formosus and his papacy, reflecting the intense rivalries and power struggles of the time. The trial took place in the Lateran Palace, where Stephen VI accused the corpse of various crimes. The spectacle shocked many and ultimately led to Stephen's downfall, as he was later imprisoned and strangled, illustrating the chaotic nature of the Roman Catholic Church during the late 9th century.