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Sixtus IV, originally Francesco della Rovere 1414-84
Italian pope

Born in Cella Ligura, Genoa, he was a famous Franciscan preacher. He became a cardinal in 1467 and pope in 1471. His nepotism led to many abuses, and he is said to have connived at the Pazzi conspiracy against the Medici at Florence, which was engineered by his nephew, the future Julius II. Although he fostered learning and built the Sistine Chapel and the Sistine Bridge, he compromised the moral authority of the papacy. His alliance with the Venetians in 1482 led to a general Italian war.