2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY "The Most Explosive Revelations Yet!"

Dave Bowman

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Pope Pius XII

Pope Pius XII, died in October 1958. Due to his personal physician using an experimental embalming method that sealed the body in cellophane and herbs without removing internal organs, gases rapidly built up. During the procession to Rome and the subsequent lie-in-state, the body deteriorated rapidly. Gases built up to such a degree that, according to reports, the Pope's chest cavity ruptured in front of shocked mourners. The stench was so overwhelming that members of the Swiss Guard became violently ill and had to be rotated every 15 minutes.

As noted by IFL Science, “the Pope's chest 'exploded' due to build-up of gas in the chest cavity, then the nose and fingers fell off and the body turned a greenish black colour.”

The intense decay caused the Pope's nose and fingers to detach, ultimately forcing the Vatican to place a wax mask over his face.