Pomponio Algerio facts for kids

Pomponio Algerio (1531 – 19 August 1556) was a brave Italian student. He lived a long time ago, in the 1500s. He was known for his strong beliefs about religion. Sadly, he was put to death because he would not change his mind.

A Student with Strong Beliefs

Pomponio Algerio was born in a town called Nola. He studied law at the University of Padua. This university is in Italy. While he was studying, he developed Lutheran beliefs. These were different from the main Church teachings at the time.

His ideas caught the attention of the Roman Inquisition. This was a group that investigated people's religious beliefs. When he went to trial, Pomponio wore his student hat and gown. He wanted to show that students should be free to share their thoughts.

Pomponio believed that people could not do good things on their own. He thought that God's grace was needed. He also felt that the Roman Catholic Church was just one church. He believed Christians should not be limited to only one specific church. He thought this Church was wrong about many things.

The Church wanted him to change his mind. Pomponio was sent to prison. He spent a year there. But he still refused to change his beliefs. The local leaders in Venice did not want to execute him. So, Pope Paul IV sent people to take Pomponio to Rome.

In Rome, a monk visited Pomponio in his prison cell. This was on August 21, 1555. Pomponio was only 24 years old. He still refused to give up his beliefs. One year later, on August 19, 1556, he was executed in the Piazza Navona in Rome.

Remembering Pomponio Algerio

On February 28, 2008, the University of Padua held a special meeting. It was the first conference to remember Pomponio Algerio. They also placed a special plaque in the university's "New Courtyard." This plaque honors his sacrifice for religious freedom. It reminds everyone of his courage.