Pope Leo XI facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Leo XI |
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| Bishop of Rome | |
Portrait engraving of Leo XI by Jacob Matham, 1605
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 1 April 1605 |
| Papacy ended | 27 April 1605 |
| Predecessor | Clement VIII |
| Successor | Paul V |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 22 July 1567 |
| Consecration | March 1573 by Francisco Pacheco de Villena (Toledo) |
| Created Cardinal | 12 December 1583 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici |
| Born | 2 June 1535 Florence, Duchy of Florence |
| Died | 27 April 1605 (aged 69) Rome, Papal States |
| Previous post |
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| Coat of arms | |
| Other Popes named Leo | |
Pope Leo XI (born Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici) was the leader of the Catholic Church and the ruler of the Papal States for a very short time in 1605. He was pope from April 1, 1605, until his death on April 27, 1605. His time as pope was one of the shortest in history, lasting less than a month.
He came from the famous House of Medici family, which was from Florence, Italy. Alessandro's mother did not want him to become a priest. She tried to get him other important roles in society. But after she died, he became a priest in 1567.
During his career, he served in many important positions. He was Florence's ambassador to the pope. He also served as a Bishop of Pistoia and later as Archbishop of Florence. He was a papal representative, called a legate, in France. He also became a cardinal. He was chosen as pope in March 1605 and served for only 27 days.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Calling
Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici was born in Florence on June 2, 1535. His parents were Ottaviano de' Medici and Francesca Salviati. His family was a branch of the well-known House of Medici. He was also the great-nephew of an earlier pope, Pope Leo X.
Alessandro's father died when he was young. After that, a Dominican priest named Vincenzo Ercolano taught Alessandro at home. Alessandro felt a strong desire to become a priest. However, his mother did not agree with this idea. She wanted him to have a different kind of important role because he was her only son.
In 1560, Alessandro went to Rome. There, he met Philip Neri, who would later become a saint. They became very close friends for life. Philip Neri even predicted that Alessandro would one day become pope. After his mother passed away in 1566, Alessandro was able to continue his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained as a priest on July 22, 1567.
Church Career
Alessandro worked as the representative, or ambassador, for Florence to Pope Pius V. He held this role from 1569 to 1584. In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII appointed him as the Bishop of Pistoia. He became a bishop in Rome in March 1573. The next year, in 1574, he was made the Archbishop of Florence.
In 1583, Pope Sixtus V made him a cardinal. On January 9, 1584, he received the title of Cardinal-Priest of Santi Quirico e Giulitta. Over the years, he held titles for other churches as well, which was a common practice for cardinals.
In 1596, Pope Clement VIII sent Alessandro to France. He served there as a papal legate, meaning he was the pope's official representative. He stayed in France until 1598. Then, he was appointed as the Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops and Regulars, an important job in the Church.
Becoming Pope
Papal Election of 1605
After Pope Clement VIII died, 62 cardinals gathered to choose the next pope. This meeting is called a conclave. It took place on March 14, 1605. Some of the leading candidates were famous churchmen like Cesare Baronius and Robert Bellarmine.
However, a powerful cardinal named Pietro Aldobrandini worked with the French cardinals. They managed to get Alessandro elected as pope. This happened even though King Philip III of Spain wanted someone else. It is said that King Henry IV of France spent a lot of money to support Alessandro's election.
On April 1, 1605, Cardinal Alessandro de' Medici was elected pope. He chose the name Leo XI. He picked this name to honor his great-uncle, Pope Leo X. He was officially crowned on April 10, 1605. He then took possession of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran on April 17, 1605.
Death
Pope Leo XI was almost 70 years old when he was elected. He died just 27 days later. His death was caused by tiredness and catching a cold. This happened during the ceremony of taking possession of the Basilica of St John Lateran on April 17. He started to have a fever the very next day.
See also
In Spanish: León XI para niños
