Popes of the 13th-15th centuries: rosary, scapular, and Immaculate Conception (Pontifical Doctrine IV, nos. 122-143)

Popes of the 13th Century and Marian Devotions

The popes of the 13th century, as recorded in Doctrina Pontificia IV by Innocent IV (1243), from Urban IV to Eugene IV (1447), witnessed the birth and growth of two significant Marian devotions: the Rosary and the controversy surrounding the Immaculate Conception. The Council of Basel (1439) declared the Immaculate Conception, but as a schismatic conciliar without authority. The Council of Florence (1438-1445) reaffirmed traditional faith.

Doctrina Pontificia IV Collection:

– Documents: Doctrina Pontificia IV: Marian Documents, nn. 122-143 – Popes: Innocent IV, Urban IV, Nicholas III/IV, Benedict XI, Clement V, John XXII, Eugene IV – Period: 1243-1447 – Themes: Carmelite Scapular, Rosary, Immaculate Conception

Innocent IV (1243-1254), nn. 122-125: Scapular and Rosary

Innocent IV is renowned for his papal documents on emerging devotions of the 13th century:– n. 122 (Breve Quoniam, 1244): Feast of the Nativity of Mary – The pope reaffirms the liturgical obligation of celebrating this feast. – n. 123: Approval of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary in universal liturgy. – n. 124: Carmelite Scapular – Papal approval of the Marian devotion of the Carmelites’ scapular. – n. 125 (Breve Quae Honorem, 1247): Confirmation of the scapular and devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Urban IV (1261-1264), nn. 126-127: Rosary and Mary’s Virtues

Urban IV, the pope who instituted the Corpus Christi festival, is also known for his first papal document on the Rosary (n. 127). The text praises the virtue of the Rosary as a prayer that connects contemplation of Christ’s mysteries with Mary’s intercession:> “Corona rosaria, qua Virginem colimus, misterium Incarnationis et vitae Iesu Christi nobis commendat” > > (“The crown of roses, by which we venerate the Virgin, recommends to us the mystery of the Incarnation and the life of Jesus Christ.”)

John XXII (1316-1334), n. 132: Assumption of Mary

John XXII, the Avignon pope, was one of the first popes to develop explicitly the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary. His document n. 132 asserts that Mary was assumed bodily and spiritually into Heaven, a doctrine later defined dogmatically by Pius XII in 1950. John XXII uses arguments of conveniency (it was fitting that Mary’s body not be subject to corruption) that will be central in the Bull Munificentissimus Deus.

Council of Basel (1439), nn. 137-138: Immaculate Conception

The Council of Basel, in 1439, solemnly declared the Immaculate Conception as a truth of faith. However, it became schismatic upon electing an antipope (Felix V), thus losing all its dogmatic authority. Its definition of the Immaculate Conception (n. 137) is historically significant but lacks binding ecclesiastical authority. It would be the Bull Ineffabilis Deus by Pius IX in 1854 that finally defined this dogma with irreformable papal authority.

Florence Council (1438-1445), nn. 139-143

The Florence Council, the only legitimate ecumenical council of that period, primarily addressed union with the Orthodox and Armenian churches. Its Marian documents (nn. 139-143) include the Bull Exultate Deo and the Bull Cantate Domino, which contain Marian professions of faith for the Churches united with Rome, affirming divine motherhood and perpetual virginity.

Additional Reading

Explore Mariology, Ineffabilis Deus, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, and Post-Graduate in Mariology.

Learn how to pray the Rosary in our guide: How to Pray the Rosary, step by step.

Find out more about the Immaculate Conception.