SIXTUS V. (Felice Peretti), Pope; born near Montalto, Dec. 13, 1521. He entered the convent of the Cordeliers at Ascoli, and by his natural good abilities and his popularity as a preacher made his way rapidly, notwithstanding a petulant tem per and frequent contentions with his as sociates. He was successively Professor of Theology, commissary-general of his order at Bologna, and inquisitor at Ven ice, whence he fled to Rome and obtained still higher honors and offices. A remark able change appeared in his character or manners—he showed himself meek and amiable. Pius V., who had been his pu pil, got him chosen general of the Cor deliers, named him his confessor, and in 1570, created him cardinal. He was not in favor with Gregory XIII., and it is said that in his retirement he feigned great feebleness. These signs of old age van ished the moment of his election as suc cessor to Gregory in April, 1585. He threw away his staff, and made the place ring with his loud Te Delon. His first care was to repress brigandage. One year of his vigorous government made an immense and beneficial change. Before
the end of 1585 Sixtus published a bull of excommunication against Henry of Na varre and the Prince of Conde. After the murder of the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal of Lorraine, he cited Henry III. of France to Rome, and on his non-ap pearance excommunicated him. During the five years of his pontificate Sixtus formed and executed many great designs for the improvement and adornment of Rome. He caused the famous granite obelisks which Caligula had brought from Egypt to be set up on a pedestal; com pleted a great aqueduct for the supply of Rome with water; rebuilt the library of the Vatican, and established the cele brated printing office in connection with it; and yet left the treasury rich. Sixtus confirmed the order of "Feuillants"; es tablished or reformed many congrega tions for the management of secular or ecclesiastical affairs, and fixed the num ber of cardinals at 70. He died in Rome, Aug. 27, 1590.