Spanish Popes, the precursors of Pope Francis

Certainly the Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergogliobetter known as the Pope Franciscois the first Latin American, after 21 centuries of Christian history, to be chosen as vicar of Christ, and also the first jesuitalthough he would be the fifth pope linked to Spanish culture, who has been present in the high Catholic hierarchy since times as remote as the 4th century (after Christ, obviously).

In the performance of these four popes, the history of the Roman church can be recorded, with its oscillations between heaven or hell, or between popes and antipopes.

A Spanish before Spanish

The first maximum representative of God on Earth from Iberia could be Saint Damasus I (304-384), about whom some scholars believe that he was born in Galicia, and others that he was born in Rome, of Spanish parents, or of Hispania, which was part of the Roman Empire.
Damasus ascended to the papacy at the age of 62 in the midst of a confrontation that was about to divide the Catholic Church into two papacies (and it would not be the last time), he had to face important heresies such as Arianismunify the gospels and promote the conversion of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire.

He is the only Spanish pope – although he did not speak such a language, as it did not yet exist – who has been canonized.

The Pope who stuck to his guns, Benedict XIII or Pope Luna

The second Spanish vicar of Christ arrived a thousand years later, and like many issues in the church, whether he was a pope or an antipope remains under discussion. Pedro Martínez de Luna and Pérez de Gotor (1328-1423), also known as the papa moonascended to the papacy at a time when it was divided between Avignon and Rome.

Shortly after being elected, France and other kingdoms withdrew their support, promoting the appointment of another pope. The situation became so confusing that at one point there were three popes: Benedict XIII, John XXIII (who refused to resign, was arrested and also lost the right to the name, which would be used again with better luck in the XX) and Gregory XII. Finally, in 1415, largely because of his stubbornness, the Council of Constance condemned him as a heretic and antipope.

Benedict retired to a Templar castle in Valencia, where he died at the age of 96.
Some authors consider that the phrase “stick to your guns” derives from the story of this pope’s stubbornness (although others think it comes from a game of playing cardssimilar to seven and a half).

Calixtus III

It was the name taken by the cardinal Alfonso de Borja (1378-1458) upon being elected pope in 1455. He was originally from Játiva (Valencia) and the other cardinals appreciated him for his academic training – he was a jurist – and for his austere ways. However, he had a small weakness: practice of nepotism. From Spain he brought two nephews who were also priests and who eventually, thanks to the mediation of their illustrious uncle, would become cardinals: Rodrigo and Luis Juan.

Callistus III promoted one of the last crusades to recover Constantinople, but it failed due to disputes between the different European monarchies. Ah! And we forgot to tell you that Borja, Italianized, calls himself Borgia.

Alexander VI

Rodrigo Borgia (1431-1503) was named cardinal by his uncle at the age of 25 and elevated to the pontifical throne in 1492, with the support of the Catholic kings and facing the cardinal supported by the French monarchy, the future Pope Julius II.

He is probably one of the most famous popes in the history of the church, and perhaps that is why one of the most attractive for literature, cinema and even television.

Less known than his real and supposed vices – violation of vows, nepotism, murder and even incest – are his virtues: he tried to organize the administration of the papal states, promoted commerce and agriculture, tried to unite Italy as a country and He diplomatically settled the dispute between the kingdoms of Portugal and Spain over the New World.
He died of poisoning at the age of 73 during a dinner, and it is still debated whether it was intentional or an accident.

The last Spanish pope had to divide the New World; to Francisco, first latin american pope, now it is your turn to take your church to a new world. I hope I achieve it.

If you liked the article, be sure to read the prophecy of the last pope.