Papal Bull Romanus Pontifex Authorizes Enslaving Africans

Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Romanus Pontifex, granting Portugal the right to reduce to perpetual slavery all Saracens, pagans, and other enemies of Christ along the African coast. This document provided theological and legal justification for the Atlantic slave trade, authorizing seizure of persons, goods, and territories of non-Christians. It became a foundational legal instrument underpinning European enslavement of Africans.