Condition of RCC c.1500-17: Papal Corruption

Question 1

What were the principal consequences of the corruption of the Papacy?

Answer 1

Devalued important church positions, including Papacy, and damaged RCC reputation

Corruption entailed poor laic spiritual care, pluralism led to abseentism - popes feared GCC and so could not enact significant reform

Popes with money or influence were elected - College of Cardinals was similarly corrupt

Question 2

Example of a reforming pope?

Answer 2

Pius III - one of shortest pontificates in history dying 27 days after his election, but had intended to call a GCC focussed on reform

Question 3

Examples of corruption before Leo X?

Answer 3

Sixtus IV violated Council of Constance limit of 24 decreed over cardinals - appointed 34

Alexander VI had 9 children - made Cesare Borgia bishop of Pamplona and Archbishop of Valencia despite neither going to Spain nor being ordained

Alexander VI used bribery to secure his election

Question 4

Leo X:

• quote
• election
• patronage
• simony
• lifestyle
• ‘super indulgence’

Answer 4

“God had given us the papacy, now let us enjoy it” - worldly corrupt Medici pope

Elected by falsely convincing other cardinals of his imminent death

Created 31 cardinals in 1 day, 2 of whom were his infant grandchildren

By end of papacy there were more than 2,150 purchasable offices, collectively worth 3 mil. ducats and brought in annual revenue of 328,000 ducats

Sold Vatican art and statues to fund patronising arts and rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica

Commissioned ‘super indulgence’ for St. Peter’s Basilica