Pope Innocent XII
Innocent XII, bourgeois. Antonio Pignatelli, ( born June 13, 1615 Naples, † September 27, 1700 in Rome) was Pope from 1691 to 1700.
Pignatelli, a member of the Neapolitan aristocracy, was educated at the Jesuit College in Rome. He rose steadily on in the church hierarchy and was sponsored by several popes Urban VIII appointed him in 1635 to Prolegaten of Urbino, Innocent X nuncio in Florence, Alexander VII to the papal legate in Poland, Clement IX. then the papal nuncio in Vienna. 1681 he was appointed Pope Innocent XI. the cardinal of the titular church of San Pancrazio and Archbishop of Naples.
When Pope Alexander VIII died, it came in the conclave to disputes between the Spanish- Imperial and the French party of the Cardinals. On July 12, 1691 Antonio Pignatelli was chosen as a compromise candidate as the new Pope.
His pontificate began Innocent XII. with various reforms. So he reformed with the Bull Roman decet Pontificem the Papal States by restricting the features of papal relatives with offices; in addition, he aggravated the judicial punishments in Rome.
He also sought to restore discipline in the monastic cloisters. However, he came especially for the monks to severe criticism. He also centralized with the establishment of the Roman Curia Innocentiana authorities and courts.
The population of the Papal States was Innocent XII. very popular, they called him the father of the poor. This popularity he owed his social setting, as he used a part of the Church's funds for charitable purposes. So he built the town of Cervia on a new, healthier location.
After Pope Gregory XIII. had reformed in the 16th century, the calendar, the year was still celebrated in many parts of Europe on different days; next 1 January was especially the Christmas Day (25 December) popular, here is the time designated by 1 January as Between the years. Innocent XII. the other hand, put in 1691 found that December 31 had to be considered as final, 1 January as the first day of a year.
The King Charles II of Spain he advised to use the Duke of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV, as the heirs of his kingdom, but the War of Spanish Succession was unable to prevent.