Pope Innocent VIII facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Innocent VIII |
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| Bishop of Rome | |
Innocent VIII on a medal
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 29 August 1484 |
| Papacy ended | 25 July 1492 |
| Predecessor | Sixtus IV |
| Successor | Alexander VI |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | c. 1450 |
| Consecration | 28 January 1467 |
| Created Cardinal | 7 May 1473 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Giovanni Battista Cybo (or Cibo) |
| Born | 1432 Genoa, Republic of Genoa |
| Died | 25 July 1492 (aged 59–60) Rome, Papal States |
| Previous post |
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| Other Popes named Innocent | |
Pope Innocent VIII (born Giovanni Battista Cybo) was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 1484 until his death in 1492. He was born in 1432 in Genoa.
Before becoming pope, Giovanni Battista Cybo was a priest. He served as a bishop in different areas and later became a cardinal with the help of Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere. In 1484, he was chosen as pope.
One interesting part of his time as pope involved Cem Sultan, the brother of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II. Cem was held captive by Pope Innocent. Sultan Bayezid paid the Pope a large sum of money to keep his brother from being set free. This was because Cem was a rival to Bayezid's rule. If Bayezid threatened Christian lands, Pope Innocent would threaten to release Cem.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Giovanni Battista Cybo was born in Genoa. His father, Arano Cybo, came from an old family and served as a high-ranking official in Naples and later in Rome. Giovanni Battista spent his younger years at the court in Naples.
While in Naples, he was given important church positions. After the death of King Alfonso in 1458, Giovanni Battista moved to Padua and then to Rome to continue his education.
Path to Becoming Pope
In Rome, Giovanni Battista Cybo became a priest. He worked for Cardinal Calandrini, who was related to Pope Nicholas V. In 1467, he became the Bishop of Savona. Later, in 1472, he became the Bishop of Molfetta.
In 1473, with strong support from Giuliano Della Rovere (who later became Pope Julius II), he was made a cardinal by Pope Sixtus IV. After Pope Sixtus IV died, Giovanni Battista Cybo was elected as the new pope on August 29, 1484, taking the name Innocent VIII.
Becoming Pope: The Election
The election of Pope Innocent VIII in 1484 was a time of much political activity. Cardinals met to choose the next pope, and there were many different groups supporting various candidates.
Before the final vote, some powerful cardinals, like Giuliano della Rovere and Cardinal Borgia, worked to get votes for Cybo. They promised certain benefits to other cardinals if they voted for him. This kind of political deal-making was common during papal elections at that time.
Key Events as Pope
Soon after becoming pope, Innocent VIII tried to unite Christian leaders for a crusade against the Ottoman Turks. However, this effort was not successful, mainly because of a long conflict with King Ferdinand I of Naples.
Dealing with Naples
King Ferdinand's harsh rule led to a rebellion by noble families in 1485, known as the Conspiracy of the Barons. Pope Innocent VIII supported these rebellious nobles. He even took strong action against Ferdinand, removing him from the church in 1489.
Innocent VIII then invited King Charles VIII of France to bring an army to Italy and take control of the Kingdom of Naples. This decision had a big impact on Italy. The conflict continued even after Innocent VIII's death.
Relations with the Ottoman Empire
Bayezid II was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. His brother, Cem, challenged his rule. After being defeated, Cem sought protection from the Knights of St. John in Rhodes. Cem offered a lasting peace between the Ottoman Empire and Christian nations.
However, Sultan Bayezid paid the Knights a large sum of money to keep Cem as a prisoner. Cem was later moved to France. Sultan Bayezid continued to pay for Cem to be held captive.
In March 1489, Cem was placed under the care of Pope Innocent VIII in Rome. Cem's presence was very useful to the Pope. Whenever Sultan Bayezid planned military actions against Christian countries, the Pope would threaten to release Cem. In exchange for keeping Cem captive, Bayezid paid Pope Innocent VIII a large amount of money, a holy relic (part of the Holy Lance), and an annual fee. Cem died in 1495 while on a military trip with King Charles VIII of France.
Views on Witchcraft Investigations
Pope Innocent VIII issued an important document called Summis desiderantes affectibus in 1484. This document was requested by a German church official named Heinrich Kramer. It supported investigations against people accused of practicing magic or witchcraft.
The document was issued because Kramer needed clear authority to investigate witchcraft in Germany. Local church officials had questioned his power to do so. Some historians believe this document was also about settling disagreements over who had authority between local priests and officials from the Office of the Inquisition, who reported directly to the Pope.
This document did not give Kramer all the support he wanted. So, he wrote a book called Malleus Maleficarum in 1487, which shared his ideas about witchcraft.
Other Important Actions
In 1487, Pope Innocent VIII confirmed Tomás de Torquemada as the Grand Inquisitor of Spain. This was a very powerful position in the Spanish Inquisition.
Also in 1487, Innocent VIII issued another document against the Waldensians, a Christian group. He offered special religious rewards to anyone who would join a "Crusade" against them. This led to attacks in some areas, causing many Waldensians to flee.
Pope Innocent VIII also ordered the construction of the Belvedere in the Vatican Palace. This building was meant for summer use. His successor later changed it into the Cortile del Belvedere.
He often needed money, so he created new official positions and sold them to the highest bidders. In January 1492, the city of Granada fell to Christian forces in Spain. This was celebrated in the Vatican, and Innocent VIII gave Ferdinand II of Aragon the special title "Catholic Majesty."
Views on Slavery
During the Renaissance, the views of popes on slavery varied. Some popes allowed the slave trade, hoping that enslaved people would convert to Christianity. Pope Innocent VIII allowed trade with merchants from North Africa. They would exchange food for slaves, who could then be converted to Christianity.
King Ferdinand of Aragon gave Pope Innocent 100 Moorish slaves. These slaves were then given to favored cardinals. The slaves owned by Innocent were called moro, which meant "dark-skinned men."
New Saints
During his time as pope, Innocent VIII officially recognized two new saints:
- Catherine of Vadstena (in 1484)
- Leopold III (in 1485)
New Cardinals
Pope Innocent VIII appointed eight new cardinals in March 1489. Three of these cardinals were kept secret at first. Their names were revealed after the pope died, so they could vote in the next papal election in 1492. One of these secret cardinals was Giovanni de' Medici, who later became Pope Leo X.
Death and Burial
Pope Innocent VIII became very ill in July 1492 and passed away.
He was first buried in the Oratory of Our Lady in the Old St. Peter's Basilica. His tomb was created by the artist Antonio del Pollaiuolo. The tomb was later moved to a different part of the basilica.
An inscription below his tomb in Saint Peter's Basilica says: "During his Pontificate, the glory of the discovery of a new world." This has led some people to wonder if Christopher Columbus's voyages to the Americas happened earlier than the commonly known date of October 12, 1492, since Innocent VIII died shortly before that date.
Family Life
Before he became a priest, Innocent VIII had several children. Only two of them, a son and a daughter, were officially recognized. He was known for helping his family members get important positions.
In 1487, his older son, Franceschetto Cybo, married Maddalena de' Medici, the daughter of the powerful Lorenzo de' Medici. In return, Lorenzo's 13-year-old son, Giovanni, was made a cardinal. Giovanni later became Pope Leo X.
His daughter, Teodorina Cybo, married Gerardo Usodimare. They had a son and two daughters.
See also
In Spanish: Inocencio VIII para niños
- Cardinals created by Innocent VIII
