The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Innocent XI
1611–89, pope (1676–89), an Italian named Benedetto Odescalchi, b. Como; successor of Clement X. He was elected because of his great saintliness and desire for reform. His election had been opposed by Louis XIV, with whom he had a long, bitter quarrel over Gallicanism, begun in this phase with Louis’s collection of the revenues of vacant benefices all over France. The Gallican statement of 1682 brought a papal condemnation; and when Louis revoked the Edict of Nantes, perhaps to gain papal favor, Innocent denounced the proceedings (1685). James II of England, Louis’s ally, also excited Innocent’s displeasure, but there is no proof of the allegation that Innocent supported the Protestant William III in his accession to the English throne. He was succeeded by Alexander VIII. Innocent was beatified in 1956.
