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Name:
Pope Innocent VIII
Born: Giovanni Battista Cibo
Preceded by: Sixtus IV (1471 - 1484)
Succeeded by: Alexander VI (1492 - 1503)
Roman Catholic Pope #214
Dates:
Born: 1432 (Genoa, Italy)
Died: July 25, 1492
Crowned Pope: September 12, 1484
Pope: August 29, 1484 - July 25, 1492 (7 years)
Biography:
Pope Innocent VIII was not aptly named - his papacy was one of the most worldly and corrupt on record.
Matters started out badly enough because his election was due in large part to the scheming of Cardinal
Giuliano Della Rovere. Nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, Della Rovere wanted the papacy for himself but knew
that he didn't have enough votes; he thus chose instead to fight for the election of someone he thought
he could control. He was successful.
Innocent VIII was himself far from innocent. Even before his election as pope he had three illegitimate children, all of whom he openly acknowledged once his position was secure. Financial insolvency was the order of the day for Innocent - he had no money but insisted on living like a rich prince. Everyone at the papal court lived in grand style, much like the courts all around Europe. Many new offices were created solely in order to sell them to the highest bidder. At one point Innocent was even reduced to pawning the papal tiara to a Roman merchant.
Politically, Pope Innocent VII hoped to launch a crusade against the Turks; instead, he ended up in negotiations with them and signed a very good treaty. Not only would a large sum of money be paid to the pope every year, but Innocent also received the Holy Lance, believed to have been the lance that pierced the side of Christ at the crucifixion. This would have been the same lance found by the first Crusaders.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
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