Sixtus V | |
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Bishop of Rome | |
Church | Catholic Church |
Papacy began | 24 April 1585 |
Papacy ended | 27 August 1590 |
Predecessor | Gregory XIII |
Successor | Urban VII |
Previous post(s) |
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Orders | |
Ordination | 1547 |
Consecration | 12 January 1567 by Antonio Lauro |
Created cardinal | 17 May 1570 by Pius V |
Personal details | |
Born | Felice Piergentile, then Felice Peretti 13 December 1521 |
Died | 27 August 1590 Rome, Papal States | (aged 68)
Motto | Aqua et panis, vita canis (Water and bread are a dog’s life)[1] |
Signature | |
Coat of arms | |
Other popes named Sixtus |
Papal styles of Pope Sixtus V | |
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Reference style | His Holiness |
Spoken style | Your Holiness |
Religious style | Holy Father |
Posthumous style | None |
Pope Sixtus V (Italian: Sisto V; 13 December 1521 – 27 August 1590), born Felice Piergentile, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 24 April 1585 to his death, in August 1590. As a youth, he joined the Franciscan order, where he displayed talents as a scholar and preacher, and enjoyed the patronage of Pius V, who made him a cardinal. As a cardinal, he was known as Cardinal Montalto.
As Pope, he energetically rooted out corruption and lawlessness across Rome, and launched a far-sighted rebuilding programme that continues to provoke controversy, as it involved the destruction of antiquities. The cost of these works was met by heavy taxation which caused much suffering. His foreign policy was regarded as over-ambitious; he excommunicated King Henry IV of France and renewed the excommunication of Queen Elizabeth I of England. He is recognized as a significant figure of the Counter-Reformation. He is the most recent pope to date to take on the pontifical name "Sixtus".