Trial and execution of Girolamo Savonarola

The imprudence of the most impassioned of his followers, Fra Domenico da Pescia, brought events to a head. Fra Domenico took at his word a Franciscan who had challenged to ordeal by fire anyone who maintained the invalidity of Savonarola’s excommunication. The Signoria and the whole population of the most civilized city in Italy greedily encouraged that barbarous experiment, as it alone seemed to promise a solution of an insuperable problem. Only Savonarola was dissatisfied. The decree, which assigned to the ordeal Fra Domenico himself and a Franciscan, declared the loser whichever might withdraw or even vacillate. In fact, the Franciscan failed to appear, and so the ordeal did not take place. Savonarola, victorious by the terms of the decree, was blamed for not having achieved a miracle. The following day the rabble led by the Arrabbiati rioted, marched to San Marco, and overcame the defenders. Savonarola was taken like a common criminal together with Fra Domenico and another follower. After examination by a commission of his enemies and after torture, it was yet necessary to falsify the record of the inquiry if he was to be charged with any crimes. But his fate was settled. The papal commissioners came from Rome “with the verdict in their bosom,” as one of them said. After the ecclesiastical trial, which was even more perfunctory, he was handed over to the secular arm, with his two companions, to be hanged and burned. The account of his last hours is like a page from the lives of the Church Fathers. Before mounting the scaffold, he piously received the pope’s absolution and plenary indulgence.

Legacy

In fact, Savonarola’s quarrel was with the corruption of the clergy of whom Alexander VI was merely the most scandalous example—not with the Roman pontiff, for whom he always professed obedience and respect. He was a reformer, but Catholic and Thomist to the marrow; his faith is borne out in his many works, the greatest of which is the Triumphus crucis, a clear exposition of Christian apologetics. His Compendium revelationum, an account of visions and prophecies that came true, went through many editions in several countries. Of his sermons, some exist in a version taken down verbatim.

After Savonarola’s death a cult was dedicated to him, which had a long history. Saints canonized by the church, such as St. Philip Neri and St. Catherine de’ Ricci, venerated him as a saint; an office was said for him, and miracles he had performed were recorded. He was portrayed in paintings and medals with the title of beatus (“blessed”) but has never been formally beatified.