On This Day

Pope Innocent XI publishes decree Coelestis pastor

Pope Innocent XI (Latin: Innocentius XI; Italian: Innocenzo XI; 16 May 1611 – 12 August 1689), born Benedetto Odescalchi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 21...

Pope Innocent XI (Latin: Innocentius XI; Italian: Innocenzo XI; 16 May 1611 – 12 August 1689), born Benedetto Odescalchi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 21 September 1676 until his death on 12 August 1689.

Political and religious tensions with Louis XIV of France were a constant preoccupation for Innocent XI. Within the Papal States, he lowered taxes, produced a surplus in the papal budget and repudiated nepotism within the Church. Innocent XI was frugal in his governance of the Papal States, his methods evident in matters ranging from his manner of dress to a wide range of standards of personal behaviour consistent with his conception of Christian values.

Historical Significance

Pope Innocent XI (Latin: Innocentius XI; Italian: Innocenzo XI; 16 May 1611 – 12 August 1689), born Benedetto Odescalchi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 21 September 1676 until his death on 12 August 1689.

Events Before

  1. Jean Baptiste Lully's opera "Armide", with libretto by Philippe Quinault, premieres in performance by the Paris Opera at

    Jean Baptiste Lully's opera "Armide", with libretto by Philippe Quinault, premieres in performance by the Paris Opera at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal

  2. Municipality of Ilagan is founded in the Philippines

    Ilagan, officially the City of Ilagan (Ibanag: Siudad nat Ilagan; Ilocano: Siudad ti Ilagan; Filipino: Lungsod ng Ilagan), is a component city and capital of the province of Isabela, Philippines.

  3. A French force led by Pierre de Troyes retakes Fort Monsoni (Moose Factory) from the English, on James Bay, Canada [1]

    A French force led by Pierre de Troyes retakes Fort Monsoni (Moose Factory) from the English, on James Bay, Canada [1]

  4. Germany, Sweden, and Spain sign anti-French League of Augsburg

    Germany, Sweden, and Spain sign anti-French League of Augsburg

  5. A meeting takes place at Lüneburg between several Protestant powers in order to discuss the formation of an 'evangelical

    A meeting takes place at Lüneburg between several Protestant powers in order to discuss the formation of an 'evangelical' league of defense, called the 'Confederatio Militiae Evangelicae', against the Catholic League.

Events After

  1. City council of Amsterdam votes to support Prince William of Orange's invasion of England, known as "The Glorious Revolu

    City council of Amsterdam votes to support Prince William of Orange's invasion of England, known as "The Glorious Revolution" in the Netherlands

  2. Prince William of Orange accepts invitation to take up the British crown

    Prince William of Orange accepts invitation to take up the British crown

  3. King James II, the last Roman Catholic British monarch, flees to France from William of Orange

    James Francis Edward Stuart (10 June 1688 – 1 January 1766), also known as the Old Pretender, was the senior House of Stuart claimant to the thrones of England, Ireland and Scotland from 1701 until...

  4. Quakers consider drafting formal protest of slavery in Germantown, Pennsylvania

    Quakers consider drafting formal protest of slavery in Germantown, Pennsylvania

  5. "Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery": Francis Daniel Pastorius presents 1st formal written protest against Afric

    "Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery": Francis Daniel Pastorius presents 1st formal written protest against African-American slavery in English colonies in Germantown, Pennsylvania

More from the 1680s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 10, 1687?
Pope Innocent XI (Latin: Innocentius XI; Italian: Innocenzo XI; 16 May 1611 – 12 August 1689), born Benedetto Odescalchi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 21 September 1676 until his death on 12 August 1689. Political and religious tensions with Louis XIV of France were a constant preoccupation for Innocent XI. Within the Papal States, he lowered taxes, produced a surplus in the papal budget and repudiated nepotism within the Church.
Why is Pope Innocent XI publishes decree Coelestis pastor significant?
Pope Innocent XI (Latin: Innocentius XI; Italian: Innocenzo XI; 16 May 1611 – 12 August 1689), born Benedetto Odescalchi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 21 September 1676 until his death on 12 August 1689.

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