Giovanni d'Aragona (1456–1485) facts for kids
Giovanni d'Aragona (born 1456, died 1485) was an important Italian Roman Catholic leader. He was known as the Cardinal of Aragona.
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Who Was Giovanni d'Aragona?
Giovanni d'Aragona was a powerful figure in the Catholic Church during the 1400s. He held many important positions and helped lead parts of the church. He was also a member of a royal family.
Early Life and Family
Giovanni d'Aragona was born in Naples, Italy, on June 25, 1456. His father was Ferdinand I of Naples, who was the King of Naples. His mother was Isabella of Clermont. Being born into a royal family meant Giovanni had many opportunities.
Becoming a Cardinal
Giovanni started his career in the church at a young age. On July 12, 1465, he became a protonotary apostolic. This was an important role that involved preparing official church documents.
Later, on November 10, 1477, he was put in charge of the church area of Taranto. He kept this job for the rest of his life.
Just a month later, on December 10, 1477, Pope Sixtus IV made him a cardinal. This is a very high rank in the Catholic Church. He received his special red hat, a symbol of a cardinal, in Naples a few months later.
Important Jobs and Travels
Giovanni d'Aragona took on many different roles. From January to May 1479, he was in charge of the church area of Badajoz in Spain.
In April 1479, the Pope sent him as a special representative, called a legate a latere, to the Kingdom of Hungary. He traveled from Rome to Hungary in January 1480 and returned in August of the same year. While in Hungary, he changed his title from a cardinal deacon to a cardinal priest.
He continued to take on more responsibilities. In November 1481, he became the administrator for the church area of Cosenza. He held this position for the rest of his life.
His Final Years
Giovanni spent time in Naples from April 1482 to August 1483 before returning to Rome. He also became the administrator for the church areas of Salerno (in January 1483) and Esztergom (in December 1483). He kept both of these jobs until he died.
In September 1483, he was again named a special representative to Hungary and Germany. He came back to Rome in August 1484 to take part in the meeting that chose the new Pope, Pope Innocent VIII.
His father, the King of Naples, then made him the governor of the Province of Bari. In October 1485, his father sent him on a mission to the Pope. Sadly, Giovanni arrived in Rome during a serious sickness outbreak. He became ill with a fever and died on October 17, 1485. He was buried in the church of Santa Sabina in Rome.
See also
In Spanish: Juan de Nápoles (cardenal) para niños
