Pope Innocent VIII was the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1484 to 1492. Born Giovanni Battista Cibo in 1432, he became a cardinal before his papacy. His reign was marked by political challenges and the ongoing Renaissance, which influenced art and culture across Europe. During his papacy, Innocent VIII is known for issuing the papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus, which authorized the persecution of witches. He also faced issues related to the Ottoman Empire and the Spanish Inquisition, as well as the exploration of the New World, which began to reshape European power dynamics.