Canto XIX Summary

Dante and Virgil are on the rim of the third pitch in circle eight . In this pitch those who are there have committed Simmony(used their positions in the church for personal monetary gain). The punishment for the Simonists is that they are upside-down in round holes the size of baptismal fonts. From each of these holes protrude the feet and legs of a spirit, with the rest of the body upside down in the hole and the soles of their feet are on fire. Dante identify one soul who is apparently suffering more torment than others.The soul mistakes Dante for Pope Boniface. This soul wore the "the Great mantle" of the office of the pope below him in the cracks was others who committed the same sin. When pope boniface joins them Nicholas III will be pushed further into the stone.