Pope Sixtus IV: Making Money Out of Damnation

Of all the high-profile entrepreneurs who graced those history books and magazine covers, Francisco della Rovere or Pope Sixtus IV is probably the most controversial one, what with his business that made money out of damnation and long list of scandals that were enough to give the most sinful man a run for his money.

Born in 1414 to a wealthy and influential Papal family, Pope Sixtus VI made a highly unconventional move for a member of an illustrious Papal family. He entered the Franciscan order and studied theology and philosophy at the University of Pavia and around this time, fathered a number of illegitimate children through several affairs. He became the pope in 1474.

Pope Sixtus IV’s entrepreneurial flair kicked in after he realized that there was money to be made from the dead. He developed a way for the Church to bring in more profit by telling the Catholic community that the time their dearly departed loved ones will spend suffering in the purgatory will be lessened if they increase their donations to the Vatican. The coffers filled quickly and soon enough, there was plenty of money to go around in the Church. Pope Sixtus IV grew his business further by permitting the Spanish Inquisition and licensing brothels.

Needless to say, Pope Sixtus IV is a dodgy businessman, and probably should not be included in the list of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs. But his knack for creating ways to make money – no matter how devious they were – was the kind of thing one cannot simply ignore.