The Battle of Lepanto

In the years leading up to the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, the Ottoman Empire was the strongest and fiercest military in the world, steadily expanding its dominion in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Venice, once a maritime powerhouse, had made a humiliating peace with the Ottomans in 1540, but even that had failed to thwart the Ottoman expansion. In 1570, the Ottomans set their sights on the Venetian-held island of Cyprus, leading Venice to make an urgent plea to Pope Pius V for help.

The Pontiff sought to bring together all of Christendom in a Holy League to defend against the encroaching Ottoman threat, but it wasn’t easy. France and the Holy Roman Empire were preoccupied with the religious changes brought about by the Reformation. Spain, on the other hand, offered hope, but King Philip II faced financial troubles and revolts in his lands.

When news of the Ottoman’s merciless siege of Cyprus reached King Phillip’s half-brother Don John of Austria, he was incensed. He heeded the Pope’s plea and decided to lead the Holy League to battle in the waters near Nafpaktos, Greece, on October 7, 1571. The Christian fleet was greatly outnumbered by the formidable Ottoman navy, commanding only 214 boats and 80,000 troops while the Ottoman force totaled 120,000 troops and about 275 ships.

Pope Pius V ordered the churches of Rome to remain open for prayer day and night. He encouraged the faithful to petition the Blessed Virgin Mary by praying the Rosary and seeking her intercession for a miraculous victory. As the sun rose, the Ottoman fleet had the advantage, but the weather changed unexpectedly. Christian forces seized the opportunity, and with unwavering determination, they overwhelmed their enemy in a fierce battle.

The Holy League was able to stop the Ottomans’ expansion and protected Christendom from the invaders. Pope Pius V honored the Blessed Mother with the feast of Our Lady of Victory (later changed to the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary) in thanksgiving for the triumph.