Joan Margarit i Pau facts for kids

Joan Margarit i Pau, also known as Juan Margarit y Pau, was an important leader in the Catholic Church from Catalonia, a region in Spain. He lived a long time ago, in the 1400s. He became a bishop of Girona, a city in Catalonia, and later a cardinal, which is a very high position in the Church, like a special advisor to the Pope. He also worked as an ambassador and advisor for kings. He passed away on November 21, 1484.

Early Life and Education

Joan Margarit i Pau was born in Girona, Spain, around the year 1424. He came from an important and wealthy family.

When he was just ten years old, in 1434, he became a canon at the Girona Cathedral. This meant he was a member of the group of priests who helped run the cathedral. In 1437, he traveled with his uncle, Bernardo de Pau, who was also a bishop, to an important meeting called the Council of Florence.

Later, in 1441, he became an archdeacon in a place called Selva. Around this time, he went to study at the University of Bologna in Italy. He was very smart and earned a special degree in 1443. This degree meant he was an expert in both church law and civil law. He also studied religion, the arts, and even oceanography.

Working for the Church and Kings

After finishing his studies, Joan Margarit wanted to work at the Pope's court in Rome. Even though a powerful king, Alfonso V of Aragon, recommended him, he didn't get a job right away. So, in 1443, his uncle made him a vicar general for the church in Girona. This meant he helped his uncle manage the church's affairs.

He also took part in important meetings called the Corts in Barcelona between 1446 and 1448. These were like parliaments where important people discussed laws and issues.

Under Pope Eugene IV, he became a provost at an abbey in Girona. Later, he became the main sacristan of Girona Cathedral.

When Pope Nicholas V was elected in 1447, Joan Margarit decided to try again to work for the Pope in Rome. He gave up his jobs in Girona and traveled to Rome in 1448. In 1449, King Alfonso V of Aragon made him his special representative, or procurator, in Rome for the Kingdom of Naples. He also served as an ambassador for another king, John II of Castile, to the Pope. In 1450, he joined an important group called the Apostolic Camera, which helped manage the Pope's finances.

In 1453, he was chosen to be the Bishop of Elne.

Advisor to Kings and Popes

After becoming a bishop, Joan Margarit returned to Catalonia. He continued to participate in the Corts meetings in Barcelona. In 1455, King Alfonso V sent him to the Kingdom of Naples. When Alfonso died, the new king, John II of Aragon, appointed Margarit as his ambassador to Pope Pius II in 1458. He even went with the Pope to a big meeting called the Council of Mantua (1459).

In 1460, King John II asked the Pope to make Bishop Margarit a cardinal. The Pope didn't make him a cardinal then, but instead made him a special messenger, or nuncio, to the Kingdom of Aragon. He had two important jobs: first, to help the king make peace with his son, Charles, Prince of Viana; and second, to encourage a crusade against the Ottoman Empire.

On September 23, 1461, he became the Bishop of Girona, a position he held until his death. Bishop Margarit stayed loyal to King John II during the Catalan Civil War. He even helped defend the queen, Joana Enríquez, and the king's son, Prince Ferdinand, during a siege in Girona in 1462.

After the war ended in 1472, King John II tried again to get the Pope to make Bishop Margarit a cardinal, but it didn't happen. Instead, he became a royal advisor and played a big role in the politics of Aragon until King John II died in 1479. He then served as Chancellor of Aragon for both King John II and his son, King Ferdinand II.

In 1481, King Ferdinand II sent him to Venice to convince them to stop trading with the Ottoman Empire. He stayed in Venice until late 1482. His efforts helped bring about a peace treaty between the Pope, the King of Naples, and King Ferdinand II.

Becoming a Cardinal

Because of his excellent service, Pope Sixtus IV finally made Joan Margarit a cardinal priest on November 15, 1483. This special ceremony took place in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. He received a special church in Rome, San Vitale, to be his "titular church" on the same day. A few days later, he received the red hat, which is a symbol of being a cardinal. In March 1484, he chose a different titular church, Santa Balbina.

Cardinal Margarit took part in the meeting where a new Pope was chosen in 1484. This meeting, called a papal conclave, elected Pope Innocent VIII. The new Pope named Cardinal Margarit a special representative, or papal legate, to a region called Campagna. However, he passed away before he could take on this new role.

Joan Margarit i Pau died in Rome on November 21, 1484, from kidney stones. He was buried in the church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome.

See also

In Spanish: Juan Margarit y Pau para niños