Pope Sixtus IV
Pope Sixtus IV (Latin: Xystus Quartus; 21 July 1414 - 12 August 1484),[1] originally Francesco della Rovere, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 213th Pope from 1471 until his death in 1484.[2]
Sixtus IV | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Papacy began | 9 August 1471 |
| Papacy ended | 12 August 1484 |
| Predecessor | Pope Paul II |
| Successor | Pope Innocent VIII |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Francesco della Rovere |
| Born | 21 July 1414 Celle Ligure |
| Died | 12 August 1484 Rome, Italy |
| Other popes named Sixtus | |
He is known for beginning construction of the Sistine Chapel.[3]
Early life
Della Rovere was born in Celle Ligure, a town near Savona in Liguria.[3] His family was important.[4]
As a young man, he joined the Franciscan Order. He rose in the order to head of the Franciscans in Liguria.[3]
Della Rovere studied philosophy and theology at the University of Pavia; and he lectured at Padua, Bologna, Pavia, Siena, and Florence.[3]
Cardinal
In 1467, Pope Paul II raised della Rovere to the rank of Cardinal.[3]
Pope
He was elected pope on August 9, 1471.[5] He took the name Sixtus because the first day of the conclave which elected him pope was the Feast Day of St. Sixtus.[6]
Pope Sixtus was involved in Italian and European political disputes.[7]
Papal actions
- 1474 – Christian I of Denmark was received in Rome.[5]
- 1479 – University of Copenhagen established[5]
- 1482 – St Bonaventura was canonized.[5]
Legacy
Sixtus ordered the building of the Ponte Sisto (Sistine Bridge) across the Tiber River.[3]
The Vatican Library was enlarged during the reign of Sixtus; and the number of manuscripts grew ten times larger—from 360 during the reign of Pope Nicholas V to 3650.[8]
Related pages
References
- Note that the first three popes are called "Xystus" in ancient records. Sixtus or Xystus was a Roman name which was Latinized from the Greek name "Ξυστος." This name means "polished." This name is not to be confused with the common Roman name "Sextus" which means "sixth".
- "List of Popes," Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-8.
- "Pope Sixtus IV," Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2011-11-8.
- Sixtus IV was the uncle of Pope Julius II.
- Chisholm, Hugh (1911). The Encyclopædia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information. Encyclopædia Britannica Company. p. 164.
- Guruge, Anura (2010). The Next Pope. Anura Guruge. p. 224. ISBN 978-0-615-35372-2.
- The Penny Cyclopædia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. C. Knight. 1842. p. 72.
- Seldes, George. The Vatican: yesterday, today, tomorrow. Taylor & Francis. p. 30.
Other websites
Media related to Sixtus IV at Wikimedia Commons
. Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.- Catholic Hierarchy, Sixtus IV
- Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal della Rovere Archived 2018-01-13 at the Wayback Machine
| Preceded by Paul II |
Pope 1471–1484 |
Succeeded by Innocent VIII |