"Summis desiderantes affectibus" is a papal bull issued by Pope Innocent VIII in 1484. It is significant for its role in the European witch hunts, as it authorized the persecution of witches and established the framework for the infamous Malleus Maleficarum, a witch-hunting manual. The document claimed that witchcraft was a serious crime against the church and society. The bull asserted that witches were in league with the devil and posed a threat to Christian communities. It encouraged local authorities to seek out and punish those accused of witchcraft, leading to widespread fear and numerous trials throughout Europe during the late 15th to 17th centuries.