"Inter caetera" is a papal bull issued by Pope Alexander VI on May 4, 1493. It aimed to resolve territorial disputes between Spain and Portugal following Christopher Columbus's voyages to the Americas. The document granted Spain rights to colonize lands discovered west of a specific meridian, while Portugal was given rights to territories to the east. The bull played a significant role in the Age of Exploration, influencing European colonial expansion in the New World. It laid the groundwork for future treaties, such as the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, which further delineated the spheres of influence for Spain and Portugal.