Pope Sixtus IV
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| Birth name | Francesco della Rovere |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 July 1414 Celle Ligure |
| Died | 12 August 1484 Rome, Italy |
| Papacy from | 9 August 1471 – 12 August 1484 |
| Came after | Pope Paul II |
| Came before | Pope Innocent VIII |
Pope Sixtus IV (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]
He is known for beginning construction of the Sistine Chapel.[3]
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[change] 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]
[change] Cardinal
In 1467, Pope Paul II raised della Rovere to the rank of Cardinal.[3]
[change] 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]
[change] Papal actions
- 1474 — Christian I of Denmark was received in Rome.[5]
- 1479 — University of Copenhagen established[5]
- 1482 — St Bonaventura was canonized.[5]
[change] 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]
[change] Related pages
[change] 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.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Pope Sixtus IV," Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2011-11-8.
- ↑ Sixtus IV was the uncle of Pope Julius II.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Sixtus IV," Encyclopedia Britannica (1911); retrieved 2011-11-9.
- ↑ Gurugé, Anura. (2010). The Next Pope, p. 224.
- ↑ Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. (1842). "Sixtus IV," Penny cyclopaedia, Vol. 22, p. 72.
- ↑ Seldes, George. (1934). The Vatican: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, p. 30.
[change] Other websites
"Pope Sixtus IV". Catholic Encyclopedia. (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company.
| Preceded by Paul II |
Pope 1471–1484 |
Succeeded by Innocent VIII |
