St. Silverius, Pope and Martyr

St. Silverius was the Pope of the Catholic Church from 536 to 537 AD. He was born in Frosinone, Italy, the son of Pope Hormisdas. Silverius was forced to abdicate the papacy by the Byzantine empress Theodora, who wanted a pope more sympathetic to the Monophysite heresy. He was exiled to the island of Ponza, where he died, likely from ill-treatment. Silverius is venerated as a martyr for his refusal to compromise Catholic doctrine. He is the patron saint of exiles.