On This Day

Giovanni Battista Cibo elected as Pope Innocent VIII

Pope Innocent VIII (Latin: Innocentius VIII; Italian: Innocenzo VIII; 1432 – 25 July 1492), born Giovanni Battista Cybo (or Cibo), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from...

Pope Innocent VIII (Latin: Innocentius VIII; Italian: Innocenzo VIII; 1432 – 25 July 1492), born Giovanni Battista Cybo (or Cibo), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 August 1484 to his death, in July 1492. Son of the viceroy of Naples, Cybo spent his early years at the Neapolitan court. He became a priest in the retinue of Cardinal Calandrini, half-brother to Pope Nicholas V (1447–55); Bishop of Savona under Pope Paul II; and with the support of Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere he was made a cardinal by Pope Sixtus IV. After intense politicking by Della Rovere, Cybo was elected pope in 1484. King Ferdinand I of Naples had supported Cybo's competitor, Rodrigo Borgia.

Historical Significance

Pope Innocent VIII (Latin: Innocentius VIII; Italian: Innocenzo VIII; 1432 – 25 July 1492), born Giovanni Battista Cybo (or Cibo), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 August 1484 to his death, in July 1492.

Events Before

  1. Edward V, aged 12, succeeds his father Edward IV as King of England. He is never crowned and disappears, presumed murder

    Edward V, aged 12, succeeds his father Edward IV as King of England. He is never crowned and disappears, presumed murdered, after being incarcerated in the Tower of London with his younger brother Richard (the "Princes in the Tower")

  2. Orbital calculations suggest that on this day, Pluto moved inside Neptune's orbit until July 23, 1503

    Orbital calculations suggest that on this day, Pluto moved inside Neptune's orbit until July 23, 1503

  3. Sistine Chapel to Our Lady of the Assumption in Vatican City is consecrated with a Mass by Pope Sixtus IV [some sources

    Sistine Chapel to Our Lady of the Assumption in Vatican City is consecrated with a Mass by Pope Sixtus IV [some sources cite August 9] [1]

  4. Utrecht surrenders to the Habsburg army

    The Utrecht war of 1481–83 (Dutch: Stichtse Oorlog or Driejarige Oorlog, German: Utrechter Stiftsfehde) was a diocesan feud in the Prince-Bishopric of Utrecht between 1481 and 1483, influenced by the...

  5. Rabbi Issac Abarbanel starts his exegesis on Bible

    Rabbi Issac Abarbanel starts his exegesis on Bible

Events After

  1. Battle of Bosworth Field: Henry Tudor's forces defeat English King Richard III during the last battle in the Wars of the

    Battle of Bosworth Field: Henry Tudor's forces defeat English King Richard III during the last battle in the Wars of the Roses. Richard is killed, becoming the last English monarch to die in battle.

  2. Matthias of Hungary takes Vienna from Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III

    Vladislaus II, also known as Vladislav, Władysław or Wladislas (Hungarian: II. Ulászló; Czech: Vladislav Jagellonský; Croatian: Vladislav II. Jagelović; Slovak: Vladislav II.

  3. Gent/Brugge/Ieper recognize Maximilian of Austria as regent of Netherlands

    Gent/Brugge/Ieper recognize Maximilian of Austria as regent of Netherlands

  4. Richard III dies

    Richard III dies

  5. King Henry VII of England marries Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV

    Anne of York (2 November 1475 – 23 November 1511) was the fifth daughter of King Edward IV of England and his queen consort Elizabeth Woodville. Soon after the death of her father and the usurpation…

More from the 1480s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 29, 1484?
Pope Innocent VIII (Latin: Innocentius VIII; Italian: Innocenzo VIII; 1432 – 25 July 1492), born Giovanni Battista Cybo (or Cibo), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 August 1484 to his death, in July 1492. Son of the viceroy of Naples, Cybo spent his early years at the Neapolitan court. He became a priest in the retinue of Cardinal Calandrini, half-brother to Pope Nicholas V (1447–55); Bishop of Savona under Pope Paul II; and with the support of Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere he was made a cardinal by Pope Sixtus IV.
Why is Giovanni Battista Cibo elected as Pope Innocent VIII significant?
Pope Innocent VIII (Latin: Innocentius VIII; Italian: Innocenzo VIII; 1432 – 25 July 1492), born Giovanni Battista Cybo (or Cibo), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 August 1484 to his death, in July 1492.

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