Pope Sixtus V

Pope Sixtus V (Sixtus Quintus; 13 December 1520 – 27 August 1590), born Felice Peretti di Montalto, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 228th Pope from 1585 to 1590.

Early life
Felice Peretti was born in December 1520 at Grottammare in the province of Ascoli Piceno.

Monk
In 1547, Peretti was ordained.

Peretti became a Franciscan; and in 1560, he became Apostolic vicar of his order.

In 1565, Pope Pius IV assigned Peretti to work with Cardinal Buoncompagni (who would become Pope Gregory XIII); but they did not work well together.

Bishop
In 1566 Pope Pius V made Peretti Bishop of Sant' Agata dei Goti in the Kingdom of Naples.

Cardinal
In 1570, Peretti was raised to the rank of cardinal.

After the election of Gregory XIII, Peretti withdrew from public activities.

Pope
Cardinal di Montalto was elected pope in 1585; and he chose the name Sixtus V.

During the reign of Sixtus V, the dome of St Peter's Basilica was completed;. The external dome was covered with lead and the bands were covered with bronze gilt.

A building for the Vatican Library was constructed.

The investment in public works included the loggia of Sixtus in the Basilica of St. John Lateran; the chapel of the Praesepe in Santa Maria Maggiore; additions and repairs to the Quirinal Palace, Lateran Palace and Vatican Palace; the erection of four obelisks (including the one in the Piazza of St Peter's; the opening of six streets; and the restoration of the aqueduct of Severus (Acqua Felice).

Related pages

 * List of popes

Other websites

 * Catholic Hierarchy, Sixtus V
 * Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Peretti Montalto
 * Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Peretti Montalto