Pope Callixtus III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Callixtus III |
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| Bishop of Rome | |
1455 portrait by Sano di Pietro
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 8 April 1455 |
| Papacy ended | 6 August 1458 |
| Predecessor | Nicholas V |
| Successor | Pius II |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 31 August 1429 by Pierre de Foix |
| Created Cardinal | 2 May 1444 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Alfons de Borja |
| Born | 31 December 1378 |
| Died | 6 August 1458 (aged 79) Rome, Papal States |
| Previous post |
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| Education | University of Lleida |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Other Popes named Callixtus | |
Pope Callixtus III (born Alfonso de Borgia) was the leader of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States. He served as Pope from April 8, 1455, until his death in August 1458. He was born on December 31, 1378, and passed away on August 6, 1458.
Before becoming Pope, Alfonso de Borgia was a law professor at the University of Lleida. He also worked as a diplomat for the kings of Aragon. He even taught Ferdinand, the son of King Alfonso V. After helping King Alfonso and Pope Martin V become friends again, Borgia became the Bishop of Valencia.
In 1444, Pope Eugene IV made him a cardinal. As a cardinal, he joined the Roman Curia, which is like the Pope's main administrative team. Pope Callixtus III is famous for starting the tradition of ringing church bells at midday. This was to remind people to pray for Christian soldiers during the siege of Belgrade (1456). This tradition, called the Angelus noon bell, is still practiced in many Catholic churches today. He also ordered a new trial for Joan of Arc, which cleared her name. He was the last Pope to use the name "Callixtus."
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His Family and Early Life
Alfonso de Borgia was born in 1378 in La Torreta, which was part of the Kingdom of Valencia. Today, La Torreta is a neighborhood in Jativa. He was the oldest child of Juan Domingo de Borja y Doncel and Francina Llançol.
His sister, Isabel, married Jofré Llançol i Escrivà. Their son, Rodrigo de Borja, later became Pope Alexander VI. Alfonso's other sister, Catalina, was the mother of Luis de Milà y de Borja. Alfonso was baptized in Saint Mary's Basilica in Xativa, where a statue honors him.
Starting His Church Career
Borgia studied grammar, logic, and arts in Valencia. In 1392, he went to the University of Lleida. There, he earned degrees in both church law (canon law) and civil law. He began his career as a law professor at the University of Lleida.
Around 1411, he heard a sermon by Vincent Ferrer. Ferrer, a Dominican friar, told him: "My son, you will one day be called to be an honor to your family and country. You will receive the highest position a person can have." Later, as Pope, Borgia made Ferrer a saint in 1455.
In 1416, Borgia was chosen to represent his diocese at the Council of Constance. However, he did not attend because King Alfonso V of Aragon was against the council. Instead, he went to Barcelona for a church meeting. Borgia strongly wanted to reunite the church. His influence with the Aragonese king helped bring peace between the king and the new Pope.
He became the rector of San Nicolas of Valencia in 1418. From 1420 to 1423, he was also the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lerida. In 1424, he left these roles to serve the Aragonese king. That same year, he became the apostolic administrator of Mallorca. The king wanted him to be a cardinal, but Pope Martin V said no.
During the Great Western Schism, a time when there were multiple Popes, Borgia supported Antipope Benedict XIII. He also helped Antipope Clement VIII accept Pope Martin V as the true Pope in 1429. He then worked as a diplomat for the Kings of Aragon.
Becoming a Bishop and Cardinal
Pope Martin V made Borgia the Bishop of Valencia on August 20, 1429. He was officially made a bishop on August 31, 1429. He also tutored Ferrante, the son of King Alfonso V.
Pope Eugene IV made him a cardinal on May 2, 1444. This happened after Borgia helped the Pope and King Alfonso V of Aragon become friends. He became the Cardinal-Priest of Santi Quattro Coronati. He moved to Rome and became part of the Roman Curia. He took part in the election of Pope Nicholas V in 1447. Borgia was known for living a simple and generous life.
His coat of arms showed an ox grazing. This symbol stayed the same when he became Pope.
His Time as Pope
Borgia was chosen as pope on April 8, 1455. He was quite old at the time. He took the name Callixtus III. He was crowned Pope on April 20, 1455. After his crowning, he rode a white horse through Rome. He followed an old custom where Jewish representatives met him and presented him with a scroll of law. Callixtus III read from the law and said, "We approve the law, but we disagree with your interpretation." This caused a small disturbance at the ceremony.
Just two years after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, Callixtus was very focused on uniting Christian Europe. He wanted to fight against an invasion by the Ottoman Empire. People said Callixtus III "speaks and thinks of nothing but the crusade." He stopped a large building project in Rome and used the money for a crusade.
He sent representatives to all European countries. They asked princes to join forces against the Turkish invasion. Missionaries went to England, France, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, and Aragon. They preached about the Crusade and asked people to pray for its success. Callixtus III ordered church bells to be rung at midday. This was to remind people to pray for the crusaders.
The European princes were slow to respond to the Pope's call. This was mainly due to rivalries between their countries. England and France had just finished the Hundred Years' War in 1453. However, forces led by John Hunyadi, a Hungarian leader, defeated the Turks at Belgrade on July 22, 1456. Hunyadi died of a fever shortly after his victory. To celebrate this win, Callixtus III ordered the Feast of the Transfiguration to be held every year on August 6.
In 1456, the Pope issued a papal bull called Inter Caetera. This document confirmed earlier bulls that recognized Portugal's trading rights. These rights were for territories Portugal had discovered along the West African coast. This also gave the Portuguese military Order of Christ to Prince Henry the Navigator.
Callixtus III ordered a new trial for Joan of Arc. She was cleared of all charges after her death. During his time as Pope, Callixtus III also made four people saints: Vincent Ferrer (June 3, 1455), Osmund (January 1, 1457), Albert of Trapani (October 15, 1457), and Rose of Viterbo (1457).
Callixtus III appointed nine new cardinals in 1456. Two of these were his nephews. One of them was Rodrigo de Borgia, who later became Pope Alexander VI. The other was Luis Julian de Milà. The Pope also approved the creation of the University of Greifswald in 1456.
There is a story that Callixtus III excommunicated Halley's Comet in 1456. Some believed the comet was a bad sign for the Christian defenders of Belgrade against the Ottoman army. However, no official records from that time support this story. The Pope's order for public prayer for the crusade's success, issued on June 29, 1456, does not mention the comet. By August 6, when the Turkish siege ended, the comet had not been visible for several weeks.
His Death
Callixtus III died on August 6, 1458. His remains were moved several times. In 1586 and again in 1610, his remains were moved with those of his nephew, Alexander VI, to Santa Maria in Monserrato. His remains were moved one last time on August 21, 1889. In his will, he left 5000 ducats to start a hospital.
See also
In Spanish: Calixto III para niños
- List of popes from the Borgia family
- Cardinals created by Callixtus III
- Route of the Borgias
