Roman Inquisition - Definition and Overview

The Roman Inquisition began in 1542 when Pope Paul III established the Holy Office as the final court of appeal in trials of heresy and served as an important part of the Counter-Reformation. In reaction to the excesses of the Spanish Inquisition, it was tightly controlled by strict procedural rules under the administration of Francisco Peña.

Among the subjects of this Inquisition were Francesco Patrizzi, Giordano Bruno, Tommaso Campanella, and Galileo Galilei. Of these, only Bruno was executed; Galileo died under house arrest and Campanella spent many years in prison.

Some people express surprise upon hearing that the Roman Inquisition was still active in the 19th century. In 1858, it was instrumental in the kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara.

See also

• the fuller article at Inquisition, and other articles concerning specific institutions at Medieval Inquisition, and Spanish Inquisition.
• Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith