Editing Pope Sixtus V (section)

===Foreign relations===
[[File:Portrait of Pope Sixtus V Met DP885760.jpg|thumb|Sixtus V in an engraving of [[Pietro Facchetti]] (1585)]]
In his larger political relations, Sixtus entertained fantastic ambitions, such as the annihilation of the [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]], the conquest of [[Ottoman Egypt|Egypt]], the transport of the [[Holy Sepulchre]] to Italy, and the accession of his nephew to the throne of France. The situation in which he found himself was difficult: he could not countenance the designs of those he considered as [[Heresy in the Catholic Church|heretical]] princes, and yet he mistrusted King [[Philip II of Spain]] and viewed with apprehension any extension of his power.<ref name=EB1911/>

Sixtus agreed to renew the [[Excommunication in the Catholic Church|excommunication]] of Queen [[Elizabeth I of England]], and to grant a large subsidy to the [[Spanish Armada|Armada]] of Philip II, but, knowing the slowness of Spain, would give nothing until the expedition actually landed in England. This way, he saved a fortune that would otherwise have been lost in the failed campaign. Sixtus had Cardinal [[William Allen (cardinal)|William Allen]] draw up the ''[[An Admonition to the Nobility and People of England and Ireland]]'', a proclamation to be published in England if the invasion had been successful. The extant document comprised all that could be said against Elizabeth I, and the indictment is therefore fuller and more forcible than any other put forward by the religious exiles, who were generally reticent in their complaints. Allen carefully consigned his publication to the fire, and it is only known of through one of Elizabeth's spies, who had stolen a copy.<ref>''Catholic encyclopedia'', "[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01727c.htm Spanish Armada]".</ref>

Sixtus excommunicated King [[Henry III of Navarre]], who was the [[heir presumptive]] to the throne of France,<ref>R.J. Knecht, ''Hero or Tyrant? Henry III, King of France, 1574-89'', (Routledge, 2016), 238.</ref> and contributed to the [[Catholic League (French)|Catholic League]], but he chafed under his forced alliance with King Philip II of Spain, and looked for an escape. The victories of Henry and the prospect of his conversion to Catholicism raised Sixtus V's hopes, and to a corresponding degree determined Philip II to tighten his grip upon his wavering ally. The Pope's negotiations with Henry's representative evoked a bitter and menacing protest and a categorical demand for the performance of promises. Sixtus took refuge in evasion and temporised until his death on 27 August 1590.<ref name=EB1911/>