Rex Catholicissimus

(Redirected from Catholic King)

The Latin title Rex Catholicissimus, anglicised as Most Catholic King or Most Catholic Majesty, was awarded by the Pope to the Sovereigns of Spain. It was first used by Pope Alexander VI in the papal bull Inter caetera in 1493.

The best-known example of this title is the Catholic Monarchs (Los Reyes Católicos), which is used solely in reference to Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon.

Neither King Juan Carlos I nor Felipe VI have used the title, but they have not renounced it either.

Similar titles

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The monarchs of other countries have received similar titles from the pope: