Which character is associated with the theme of simony in Dante's Inferno?

Pope Nicholas III is intimately connected with the theme of simony in Dante's Inferno. Simony refers to the act of selling church offices or roles, which is considered a grave sin in Christian doctrine. In Dante's narrative, Pope Nicholas III represents the corrupt practices of the Church, particularly the misuse of ecclesiastical power for personal gain. He is found in the third circle of the eighth circle of Hell, where those guilty of simony are punished. Nicholas III is depicted as being upside down in a hole, symbolizing the perversion of his spiritual authority and the inversion of values he embodied during his papacy. His presence underscores Dante's critique of the moral decay within the Church and serves as a vivid illustration of how such sins impact both the individual and the institution.