Pope Sixtus IV
Pope of the Catholic Church, 1471–1484 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
| Born | Francesco della Rovere 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]
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References
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