Pope Sixtus V

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Sixtus V
Papacy began24 April 1585
Papacy ended27 August 1590
PredecessorPope Gregory XIII
SuccessorPope Urban VII
Personal details
Birth nameFelice Peretti di Montalto
Born(1520-12-13)13 December 1520
Grottammare, Papal States
Died27 August 1590(1590-08-27) (aged 69)
Rome
Other popes named Sixtus

Pope Sixtus V (Latin: Sixtus Quintus; 13 December 1520 – 27 August 1590),[1] born Felice Peretti di Montalto, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 228th Pope from 1585 to 1590.[2]

Early life[change | change source]

Felice Peretti was born in December 15250 at Grottammare[3] in the province of Ascoli Piceno.[4]

Monk[change | change source]

In 1547, Peretti was ordained.[3]

Peretti became a Franciscan; and in 1560, he became Apostolic vicar of his order.[3]

In 1565, Pope Pius IV assigned Peretti to work with Cardinal Buoncompagni (who would become Pope Gregory XIII); but they did not work well together.[4]

Bishop[change | change source]

In 1566 Pope Pius V made Peretti Bishop of Sant' Agata dei Goti in the Kingdom of Naples.[3]

Cardinal[change | change source]

In 1570, Peretti was raised to the rank of cardinal.[3]

After the election of Gregory XIII, Peretti withdrew from public activities.[4]

Pope[change | change source]

Cardinal di Montalto was elected pope in 1585; and he chose the name Sixtus V.[5]

During the reign of Sixtus V, the dome of St Peter's Basilica was completed;. The external dome was covered with lead and the bands were covered with bronze gilt.[6]

A building for the Vatican Library was constructed.[5]

The investment in public works included the loggia of Sixtus in the Basilica of St. John Lateran; the chapel of the Praesepe in Santa Maria Maggiore; additions and repairs to the Quirinal Palace, Lateran Palace and Vatican Palace; the erection of four obelisks (including the one in the Piazza of St Peter's; the opening of six streets; and the restoration of the aqueduct of Severus (Acqua Felice).[4]

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

Coat of arms of Sixtus V
  1. 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".
  2. "List of Popes," Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-9.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Pope Sixtus V," Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2011-11-9.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Chisholm, Hugh (1911). The Encyclopædia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information. Encyclopædia Britannica Company. p. 164.
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Penny Cyclopædia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. C. Knight. 1842. p. 72.
  6. Penny Cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. C. Knight. 1838. p. 69.

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to Sixtus V at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
Gregory XIII
Pope
1585–1590
Succeeded by
Urban VII