The
Latin title ''Rex Catholicissimus'', Anglicized 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
''Inter caetera'' ('Among other orks) was a papal bull issued by Pope Alexander VI on the 4 May () 1493, which granted to the Catholic Monarchs King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile all lands to the "west and south" of ...
'' in 1493.
The best-known example of this title is the
Catholic Monarchs
The Catholic Monarchs were Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, whose marriage and joint rule marked the ''de facto'' unification of Spain. They were both from the House of Trastámara and were second cousins, being b ...
(''Los Reyes Católicos''), used solely in reference to
Isabella I of Castile and
Ferdinand II of Aragon.
Neither King
Juan Carlos I
Juan Carlos I (;,
* ca, Joan Carles I,
* gl, Xoán Carlos I, Juan Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias, born 5 January 1938) is a member of the Spanish royal family who reigned as King of Spain from 22 Novem ...
nor
Felipe VI have made use of the title, but they have not renounced it either.
Similar titles
The monarchs of other countries have received similar titles from the pope:
* Hungary: ''
Apostolic Majesty His (Royal) Apostolic Majesty was a styled title used by the Kings of Hungary, in the sense of being latter-day apostles of Christianity.
First creation
The origin of this title dates from about A.D. 1000 when it was conferred by Pope Silvester I ...
'' (Awarded about 1000.)
* France: ''
Most Christian Majesty
Most or Möst or ''variation'', may refer to:
Places
* Most, Kardzhali Province, a village in Bulgaria
* Most (city), a city in the Czech Republic
** Most District, a district surrounding the city
** Most Basin, a lowland named after the city
** ...
'' (Awarded about 1380.)
* England: ''
Defender of the Faith'' (Awarded in 1521. Revoked about 1530. Continued to be used by the British Monarch.)
* Portugal: ''
Most Faithful Majesty
Most Faithful Majesty ( pt, Sua Majestade Fidelíssima) was the title used by the Portuguese monarchs, from 1748 to 1910.
The sobriquet Most Faithful King ( la, Rex Fidelissimus, pt, link=no, Rei Fidelíssimo) was a title awarded by the Pope ...
'' (Awarded 1748.)
*
Royal styles
Spanish monarchs
Superlatives in religion
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