Pope Alexander VI, concluding the inquiry he had initiated the previous year, in 1496 suspends Savonarola from preaching until the case is settled.

Savonarola at first complies, and a truce is arranged between the two so long as Savonarola avoids politics in his sermons—a condition that proves impossible for the dictatorial theocrat.

For some months Savonarola had obeyed the strictures imposed by the pope, but when he sees his influence slipping he defies the pope and resumes his sermons, which become more violent in tone.

He not only attacks secret enemies at home whom he rightly suspects of being in league with the papal Curia, he condemns the conventional, or "tepid" Christians who are slow to respond to his calls.

He dramatizes his moral campaign with special masses for the youth, processions, bonfires of the vanities and religious theater in San Marco.