Pope Sixtus IV
1414 – 1484 Italian Pope, authorized the Spanish Inquisition
Pope whose 1478 bull gave the Spanish crown authority to run its own Inquisition.
- Religion
- Roman Catholicism
- Affiliations
- Papacy; Franciscan Order
Sixtus IV issued the 1478 bull 'Exigit sincerae devotionis' that let Ferdinand and Isabella appoint inquisitors in Castile. He later voiced concern that the Spanish Inquisition was acting harshly and driven by greed rather than faith, but the crown ignored his objections. He is also remembered for building the Sistine Chapel, which bears his name.
In the timeline
- 1478 Spanish Inquisition established mentioned
- 1478 The Spanish Inquisition is established mentioned