This week in Christian history: Pope excommunicates Venice, Father Francis Duffy born
Pope Julius II excommunicates Venice – April 27, 1509

This week marks the anniversary of when Pope Julius II issued an excommunication and interdict against the entire city of Venice due to its growing political power.
Julius II had sought to reinforce the political influence of the Papal States and issued the edict, which allowed for other competing powers “to attack or despoil” Venice “or any of her subjects, to obstruct her traffic on land or sea and to do her all possible harm and hurt.”
The Venetian Republic initially ignored the edict; it eventually caved into the political pressure of the pope due to numerous military defeats by powers inspired by the interdict.
“The horrified Venetians submitted to Pope Julius who, in a remarkable volte-face, allied the papacy with Venice to prevent the French from menacing his power in Italy,” wrote Richard Cavendish for History Today in 2009.
“After his improbable transformation into the savior of Venice, Julius died in 1513. After years of fighting, complicated maneuverings and shifting alliances, the situation in Italy returned to the uneasy stalemate of the beginning of his papacy.”