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Name:
Pope Paul II
Born: Pietro Barbo
Preceded by: Pius II (1458 - 1464)
Succeeded by: Sixtus IV (1471 - 1484)
Roman Catholic Pope #212
Dates:
Born: February 23, 1417 (Italy)
Died: July 26, 1471
Pope: August 30, 1464 - July 26, 1471 (6 years, 10 months)
Biography:
Himself a beneficiary of nepotism because his uncle, Pope Eugenius IV, Pope Paul II,
promised to end the practice during his reign - along with other reforms which were
designed to improve the morals and administration of the Vatican. Unfortunately, he
also inherited political problems from his predecessor, Pius II, particularly a
conflict with the Turks. In 1470 the last Venetian outpost in Greece, Euboea, was
finally overrun and Paul tried to call for a crusade, but nothing much came of it.
Like some other Renaissance popes, Paul II was a great lover of shows and spectacles. He spent large sums of money collecting silk clothing and jewelry and had the Palazzo di Venezia built in Rome. He also declared that Jubilee Years should be held four times every century instead of the traditional two in order to satisfy his love of shows. He was not, however, popular among the humanists because of his repression of scholars and suppression of the Roman academy.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
-->Popes and the Papacy: History, Doctrines, News About Popes
The pope may be the most visible and famous symbol of the Catholic Church. It is the office of the papacy and the assumed link back to the original apostles that differentiates Roman Catholicism from other Christian denominations. The office of the papacy is rather complicated and, much to the chagrin of believers, comes with a rather checkered past.Pope John Paul II: Biography, History, and Policies
John Paul II has been one of the longest-lived and most influential popes in the history of the Catholic Church. For good or for ill, his policies and personality have helped shape not only the current character of Catholicism but also the direction Catholicism will take for generations to come. Because of that, it's important to take the time to carefully consider what his policies have been and how they have affected Catholics around the world.Electing the Next Pope: Index of Resources on Papal Elections
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Who or what is the pope? The title pope stems from the Greek word papas, which simply means "father." Early in Christian history it was used as a formal title expressing affectionate respect for any bishop and sometimes even priests. Today it continues to be used in Eastern Orthodox churches for the patriarch of Alexandria.
