Pope Sixtus IV

Francesco della Rovere, later Pope Sixtus IV, was born to a poor family in Savona, Republic of Genoa, Italy.

At the age of 14, Francesco della Rovere enters the Franciscan Order, dedicating his life to religious service and study.

Francesco della Rovere is ordained as a priest, marking the beginning of his ecclesiastical career and his commitment to the Church.

Della Rovere begins teaching philosophy and theology at the University of Padua, becoming a respected scholar and educator.

Della Rovere is elected Minister General of the Franciscan Order, a position that increases his influence within the Church.

Della Rovere is elevated to the rank of cardinal, further solidifying his position within the Vatican hierarchy.

As a cardinal, della Rovere participates in the Council of Mantua, contributing to important Church decisions and policies.

Francesco della Rovere is elected Pope Sixtus IV, succeeding Pope Paul II and beginning his papacy marked by significant reforms and patronage of the arts.

Pope Sixtus IV commissions the construction of the Sistine Chapel, a masterwork of Renaissance architecture and art, including the famous frescoes by Michelangelo.

Sixtus IV significantly expands the Vatican Library, acquiring numerous manuscripts and promoting the study of classical texts.

Pope Sixtus IV issues a papal bull establishing the Spanish Inquisition, aimed at rooting out heresy and maintaining religious orthodoxy.

Sixtus IV is implicated in the Pazzi Conspiracy, a plot to overthrow the Medici family in Florence, highlighting the political complexities of his reign.

Pope Sixtus IV establishes the Sapienza University of Rome, furthering his commitment to education and the spread of knowledge.

Sixtus IV continues to support artists and scholars, commissioning works that would become iconic during the Italian Renaissance.

Pope Sixtus IV dies in Rome, leaving a legacy marked by his patronage of the arts and significant contributions to the Church and the city of Rome.