papacy is the term that refers to the office and position of the pope some (not all) renaissance...
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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)
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…