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Antonio Pignatelli elected as Pope Innocentius XII

Pope Innocent XII (Latin: Innocentius XII; Italian: Innocenzo XII; 13 March 1615 – 27 September 1700), born Antonio Pignatelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12...

Pope Innocent XII (Latin: Innocentius XII; Italian: Innocenzo XII; 13 March 1615 – 27 September 1700), born Antonio Pignatelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 July 1691 until his death in September 1700.

He took a hard stance against nepotism in the Church, continuing the policies of Pope Innocent XI, who started the battle against nepotism but which did not gain traction under Pope Alexander VIII. To that end, he issued a papal bull strictly forbidding it. The pope also used this bull to ensure that no revenue or land could be bestowed on relatives.

Historical Significance

Pope Innocent XII (Latin: Innocentius XII; Italian: Innocenzo XII; 13 March 1615 – 27 September 1700), born Antonio Pignatelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 July 1691 until his death in September 1700.

Events Before

  1. Army of Protestant King William III of England defeats deposed Roman Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne a

    Army of Protestant King William III of England defeats deposed Roman Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne at Oldbridge, Ireland

  2. Joseph I, later Holy Roman Emperor and son of Emperor Leopold I, becomes King of the Romans and King in Germany

    Joseph I, later Holy Roman Emperor and son of Emperor Leopold I, becomes King of the Romans and King in Germany

  3. The musical instrument, the clarinet, is invented in Nuremberg, Germany

    The musical instrument, the clarinet, is invented in Nuremberg, Germany

  4. Iroquois tribes renew their allegiance to the British in opposition to the French

    Iroquois tribes renew their allegiance to the British in opposition to the French

  5. French and Native American troops attack and destroy Schenectady settlement in New York Province, either killing or capt

    French and Native American troops attack and destroy Schenectady settlement in New York Province, either killing or capturing its inhabitants, revenge for the Lachine massacre

Events After

  1. First people are accused of witchcraft, and arrested in Salem, Massachusetts - Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, a

    First people are accused of witchcraft, and arrested in Salem, Massachusetts - Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, a West Indian slave

  2. The last eight people - Martha Corey, Margaret Scott, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Wilmott Redd, Samuel Wardw

    The last eight people - Martha Corey, Margaret Scott, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Wilmott Redd, Samuel Wardwell, and Mary Parker - are hanged for allegedly practicing witchcraft as a result of the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts Bay Colony; 19 are hanged overall, with six other death

  3. Glencoe Massacre: about 38 MacDonalds killed early in the morning by rival Campbell clan members, allegedly for not prom

    Glencoe Massacre: about 38 MacDonalds killed early in the morning by rival Campbell clan members, allegedly for not promptly pledging allegiance to the new king, William of Orange

  4. Emperor Leopold I names Duke Earnest August of Braunschweig, king

    Emperor Leopold I names Duke Earnest August of Braunschweig, king

  5. King Maximilian installed as land guardian of South Netherlands

    King Maximilian installed as land guardian of South Netherlands

More from the 1690s

First women's magazine "The Ladies' Mercury" is published in London

The Ladies' Mercury (27 February 1693 — 17 March 1693) was a periodical published in London by the Athenian Society notable for being the first periodical in English published and specifically…

First people are accused of witchcraft, and arrested in Salem, Massachusetts - Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, a

First people are accused of witchcraft, and arrested in Salem, Massachusetts - Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, a West Indian slave

Army of Protestant King William III of England defeats deposed Roman Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne a

Army of Protestant King William III of England defeats deposed Roman Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne at Oldbridge, Ireland

Battle of Zenta: Holy League forces led by Prince Eugene of Savoy defeat an Ottoman army under Mustafa II near Zenta in

Battle of Zenta: Holy League forces led by Prince Eugene of Savoy defeat an Ottoman army under Mustafa II near Zenta in the Kingdom of Hungary, ending Ottoman control over large parts of Central Europe

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 12, 1691?
Pope Innocent XII (Latin: Innocentius XII; Italian: Innocenzo XII; 13 March 1615 – 27 September 1700), born Antonio Pignatelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 July 1691 until his death in September 1700. He took a hard stance against nepotism in the Church, continuing the policies of Pope Innocent XI, who started the battle against nepotism but which did not gain traction under Pope Alexander VIII. To that end, he issued a papal bull strictly forbidding it.
Why is Antonio Pignatelli elected as Pope Innocentius XII significant?
Pope Innocent XII (Latin: Innocentius XII; Italian: Innocenzo XII; 13 March 1615 – 27 September 1700), born Antonio Pignatelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 July 1691 until his death in September 1700.

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July 12 in HistoryYear 1691