Innocent, although showing a degree of sensitivity…

Innocent, although showing a degree of sensitivity in his dealings with the Jews within the Italian States, discouraging compulsory baptisms which accordingly becomes less frequent under his pontificate, cannot abolish the old practice altogether.

More controversially, on October 30, 1682 he issues an edict by which all the money-lending activities carried out by the Roman Jews are to cease.

Incidentally, such a move will financially benefit his own brothers who play a dominant role in European money-lending.

However, as Innocent ultimately becomes convinced that such a measure would cause much misery in destroying livelihoods, the enforcement of the edict is twice delayed.