Calixtus

Calixtus, the name of three popes: CALIXTUS I. (properly Callistus), Bishop of Rome under Heliogabalus and Alexander Severus. According to Hippolytus, his bitter opponent, he was originally a slave, and had twice undergone severe punishment for his crimes before he became a priest under Zephyrinus, whom he succeeded, and who, while Calixtus was yet a deacon, gave him the charge of the Cemeterium on the Appian Way which has ever since borne his name. He was vigorously attacked by Hippolytus (q.v.) for his Patipassian views and the laxity of his discipline.—CALIXTUS II., formerly Guido, Archbishop of Vienna, was elected pope at Clugny 2d February 1119. In 1121 he overcame the antipope Burdinus (Gregory VIII.), who was supported by the emperor Henry V., and in 1122 concluded with the emperor the concordat of Worms, which settled the Investiture Controversy. He died on the 13th or 14th of December 1124.—CALIXTUS III., formerly Alfonso de Borja (Ital. Borgia), born at Jativa, near Valencia in Spain, was successively counsellor to Alfonso V. of Aragon, Bishop of Valencia, cardinal, and (from April 8, 1455) pope. He laboured in vain to organise a crusade against the Turks, raised to the cardinalate his nephew, Rodrigo Borgia (afterwards Pope Alexander VI.), and died August 6, 1458 (see ALEXANDER VI.).—The name Calixtus III. was also assumed by an antipope whom the emperor Frederick Barbarossa set up in 1168 in opposition to Alexander III., and supported for nine years.