RENAISSANCE PAPACY

Renaissance Popes Papacy is the term that refers to the

office and position of the Pope Some (not all) Renaissance popes started

to get distracted from Church matters

Pope Nicholas V Many historians argue that Nicholas V

(1447-1455) was the first Renaissance Pope

Planned a new Vatican Palace (with Medici funds) Planned construction of St. Peter’s Basilica Began the famous Vatican Library Collection Approved of slavery

Hallway in the Vatican Library

St. Peter’s Basilica

Pope Sixtus IV Sixtus IV (1471-1481) represented

some of the best and the worst of the Renaissance Papacy

Supported worthy artists Nepotism (appoints family members to

important positions) Made six nephews Cardinals, one later

became Pope Julius II (ended in 1692) Involved in a plot to kill 2 members of the

Medici family (Giuliano killed, Lorenzo wounded)

Sixtus IV

Alexander VI (1492-1503) Alexander VI &

Nepotism He made one of his 18

year old sons a Cardinal

Had four children with a mistress and 3 other children with unknown women

Suspected of simony, or, paying for church positions

Not all Popes were immoral at this time

Pope Pius II (1458-1464)

One of the better Popes at this time

Big supporter of poetry Fascinated with

ancient Roman ruins

Julius II (1503-1513) Also had several

children Founded the Swiss

Guard, the Popes official bodyguards

Known as the “Warrior Pope”

Fought the Venetians and tried to fight off the French with the Holy League

Admired by Machiavelli

Calls for Reform Girolamo Savonarola called for reforming

the Church (burned immoral items) Pope Alexander VI tried bribing him, but it

failed In 1497, Pope Alexander VI

excommunicated Savonarola Excommunicate is when someone is removed

from the Church (can be totally banned)

Girolamo Savonarola Savonarola was

arrested in 1498, tortured 14 times (rack) hung and eventually burned

In 20 years, Martin Luther will attempt to reform the Church

But that is a story for another day…