10 Facts About Innocent VIII

Innocent VIII became a priest in the retinue of Cardinal Calandrini, half-brother to Pope Nicholas V, Bishop of Savona under Pope Paul II, and with the support of Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere.

Shortly after his investiture, Innocent VIII addressed a fruitless summons to Christendom to unite in a crusade against the Turks.

Innocent VIII's rule was contested by his brother Cem, who sought the support of the Mamluks of Egypt.

The letter of Innocent VIII is not an approval of the book to which it was appended, but rather a charge to inquisitors to investigate diabolical sorcery and a warning to those who might impede them in their duty, that is, a papal letter in the by then conventional tradition established by John XXII and other popes through Eugenius IV and Nicholas V .

In 1487, Innocent VIII confirmed Tomas de Torquemada as Grand Inquisitor of Spain.

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Also in 1487, Innocent VIII issued a bull denouncing the views of the Waldensians, offering plenary indulgence to all who should engage in a Crusade against them.

In 1486, Innocent VIII was persuaded that at least thirteen of the 900 theses of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola were heretical, and the book containing the theses was interdicted.

Innocent VIII was first buried in the Oratory of Our Lady in Old St Peter's Basilica.

Innocent VIII had two illegitimate children born before he entered the clergy "towards whom his nepotism had been as lavish as it was shameless".

Innocent VIII's grandnephew was Bindo Altoviti, one of the most influential bankers of his time and patron of the arts, being friends with Raphael and Michelangelo.