Cross, Bull of The

Cross, Bull of the (Cruzada), a bull by which pope Calixtus III, in 1487, granted very extensive indulgences to all who would take up arms, under king Henry of Castile, against the inlidels, or pay to that king a certain sum for defraying: the expenses of the war. The indulgence was at first granted for only five years, but was from time to time renewed and enlarged, so as to include many privileges, such as exemption from the commandment of abstinence. The proceeds of the Bull of the Cross constituted a considerable portion of the public revenue. The last renewal of the bull is of the year 1753. A similar bull was issued in 1514 by pope Leo, in favor of king Sebastian of Portugal, to whom, in consideration of his endeavors for the conversion of infidels in Africa, the third part of the tithes and the tenth part of the taxes due to the churches and ecclesiastical benefices of the kingdom was conceded. — Wetzer u. Welte, Kirchen-Lex. 6:265.