Alexander VIII | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 6 October 1689 |
| Papacy ended | 1 February 1691 |
| Predecessor | Innocent XI |
| Successor | Innocent XII |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | c. 1630 |
| Consecration | 27 December 1654 by Marcantonio Bragadin |
| Created cardinal | 19 February 1652 by Innocent X |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Pietro Vito Ottoboni 22 April 1610 |
| Died | 1 February 1691 (aged 80) Rome, Papal States |
| Previous post(s) |
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| Coat of arms |  |
| Other popes named Alexander | |
Pope Alexander VIII (Italian: Alessandro VIII; 22 April 1610 – 1 February 1691), born Pietro Vito Ottoboni, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 6 October 1689 to his death in February 1691.
Alexander VIII is known for having overturned many of the policies of his predecessor, Innocent XI, deciding to indulge in nepotism in order to further enrich his family. Such nepotism exhausted the papal treasury, later forcing his successor, Innocent XII, to implement austere measures to restore the papal coffers. Despite his brief papacy, during which little of importance was undertaken, Alexander VIII is known for having condemned the doctrines of the so-called philosophical sin which was being taught in schools run by the Society of Jesus.[1] Also during his papacy, King Louis XIV of France restored Avignon to the Holy See as a territory of the Papal States.[2]