"Witches Bull" Issued December 5 On this date in 1484, Pope Innocent VIII's notorious "Witches Bull" (Bull Summis desiderantes) was issued, officially commencing the witchhunts. Historians estimate that victims put to death as a result ranged from 600,000 to more than 9 million, over the 250 years of the witchhunts. -  www.ffrf.org