1. Renaissance Papacy

2. Renaissance Popes
Papacy is the term that refers to the office and position of the Pope
Some (not all) Renaissance popes started to get distracted from Church matters

3. Many historians argue that Nicholas V (1447-1455) was the first Renaissance Pope
Planned a new Vatican Palace (with Medici funds)
Planned construction of St. Peter’s Basilica
Began the famous Vatican Library Collection
Approved of slavery

4. A hallway in the Vatican library

5. St. Peter’s Basilica

6. Sixtus IV (1471-1481) represented some of the best and the worst of the Renaissance Papacy
Supported worthy artists
Supported nepotism (appoint family members to important positions)
Made six nephews Cardinals, one later became Pope Julius II (ended in 1692)
Involved in a plot to kill 2 members of the Medici family (Giuliano killed, Lorenzo wounded)

7. Pope Sixtus IV

8. Alexander VI (1492-1503) also followed nepotism
He made one of his 18 year old sons a Cardinal
Had four children with a mistress and 3 other children with unknown women
Suspected of simony, or, paying for church positions
But not all Popes were immoral at this time
Alexander VI

9. Pope Pius II (1458-1464) was one of the better Popes at this time
Big supporter of poetry
Fascinated with ancient Roman ruins
Pope Pius II 

10. Julius II (1503-1513) Also had several children
Founded the Swiss Guard, the Popes official bodyguards
Known as the “Warrior Pope”
Fought the Venetians and tried to fight off the French with the Holy League
Admired by Machiavelli

11. Calls for Reform
Girolamo Savonarola called for reforming the Church (burnt immoral items)
Pope Alexander VI tried bribing him, but it failed
In 1497, Pope Alexander VI excommunicated Savonarola
Excommunicate is when you kick someone out of the Church (can be totally banned)

12. Girolamo
Savonarola 

13. Savonarola was arrested in 1498, tortured 14 times (rack) hung and eventually burnt
In 20 years, Martin Luther will attempt to reform the Church
But that is a story for another day…