Callixtus III | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
 Portrait by Sano di Pietro, 1455 | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 8 April 1455 |
| Papacy ended | 6 August 1458 |
| Predecessor | Nicholas V |
| Successor | Pius II |
| Previous post(s) |
|
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 31 August 1429 by Pierre de Foix |
| Created cardinal | 2 May 1444 by Eugene IV |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alfons de Borja 31 December 1378 |
| Died | 6 August 1458 (aged 79) Rome, Papal States |
| Education | University of Lleida |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Other popes named Callixtus | |
| Papal styles of Pope Callixtus III | |
|---|---|
| |
| Reference style | His Holiness |
| Spoken style | Your Holiness |
| Religious style | Holy Father |
| Posthumous style | None |
Pope Callixtus III (Italian: Callisto III, Valencian: Calixt III, Spanish: Calixto III; 31 December 1378 – 6 August 1458), born Alfonso de Borgia (Valencian: Alfons de Borja), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 April 1455 to his death, in August 1458.
Borgia spent his early career as a professor of law at the University of Lleida; he later served as a diplomat for the kings of Aragon. He became a tutor for King Alfonso V's illegitimate son Ferdinand. After arranging a reconciliation between Alfonso and Pope Martin V, Borgia was made Bishop of Valencia.
In 1444, Pope Eugene IV named him a cardinal, and Borgia became a member of the Roman Curia. During the siege of Belgrade (1456), Callixtus initiated the custom that bells be rung at midday to remind the faithful to pray for the crusaders. The tradition of the Angelus noon bell still exists in most Catholic churches to this day. He was also responsible for the retrial of Joan of Arc that saw her vindicated. He appointed two nephews as cardinals, one of whom became Pope Alexander VI. He is the last pope to date to take on the pontifical name "Callixtus".