Savonarola, Girolamo, << `sav` uh nuh ROH luh, jih RAHL uh `moh` >> (1452-1498), was a Dominican friar who became a fiery religious reformer in Italy during the Renaissance. By 1490, he had begun efforts to reform the city of Florence through his preaching. His humor, charm, and eloquence made him famous.
Claiming prophetic powers, Savonarola denounced Pope Alexander VI as immoral and predicted divine punishment on the church and on Italy. Savonarola interpreted the French invasion of Italy in 1494 as the fulfillment of his prophecies. The pope summoned Savonarola to Rome in 1495 to explain his claim to special inspiration. Savonarola refused on the grounds of poor health and fear that he would be attacked on the way. The pope then forbade him to preach.
After Savonarola resumed preaching during Lent in 1496, the pope excommunicated him for disobedience. Alexander demanded that Florence either surrender the friar to Rome or force his silence until he should request forgiveness. If Florence defended Savonarola, the pope threatened to place the city under an interdict—a ban on worship, the reception of the sacraments, and Catholic burial. Savonarola surrendered to the civil authorities. Under torture, he pleaded guilty to heresy. A church court tried and condemned him, and turned him over to the civil authorities for punishment. He was hanged on May 23, 1498.
Because of the circumstances under which Savonarola was tried and punished, the Dominicans as early as 1499 maintained his innocence. They also argued that he had led a holy life. During the 1980’s, Pope John Paul II expressed interest in restoring Savonarola’s reputation, thus opening the possibility that he might someday be declared a saint.
Savonarola was born on Sept. 21, 1452, in Ferrara. He joined the Dominican order in 1474.
