Reigned from March 6, 1447 to March 24, 1455. Born on November 15, 1397 at Sarzano, Italy as Tommaso Parentucelli; died on March 24, 1455 in Rome, Italy. A patron of literature and the fine arts he had come in contact with the Renaissance movement in Rome while in the service of Bishop Albergati. At the Council of Florence in 1438, he took a prominent part in the discussion of Patristic and Scholastic philosophy with the Greeks. When elected he restored parts of Rome, welcomed Humanists, and founded the Vatican Library which he designated was to be opened to all scholars. At the request of James II of Scotland, he issued a Bull, 1450-1451, providing for the foundation of the University of Glasgow. He did much to weaken the conciliar theory among the nations of Christendom. He received the submission of the anti-pope Amadeus of Savoy and his adherents, and sent legates to France and Germany to reform abuses. He granted self-government to the Romans, and performed the last imperial coronation in Rome, that of Emperor Frederick III, 1452. His efforts at re-union with the Greeks failed. This, together with the fall of Constantinople and the discovery of republican conspiracies in Rome, dealt him a fatal blow.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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