Pope Leo X

Election to Papacy

When he became pope on March 9, 1513, Leo rejoiced; he is reported to have said to his brother Giuliano, "Since God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it." The Venetian ambassador who related this of him was not unbiased, nor was he in Rome at the time, nevertheless the phrase illustrates fairly the pope's pleasure-loving nature and the lack of seriousness that characterized him. And he did, traveling around Rome at the head of a lavish parade featuring panthers, jesters, and Hanno, a white elephant.

Related Topics:
March 9 - 1513 - Giuliano - God - Parade - Panther - Jester - Hanno - White elephant

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He was also lavish in works of charity: hospitals, convents, discharged soldiers, pilgrims, poor students, exiles, cripples, the sick, the unfortunate of every description were generously remembered, and more than 6,000 ducats were annually distributed in alms.

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His extravagance offended even some cardinals, who, led by Alfonso Petrucci of Siena, allegedly plotted an assassination attempt (which was foiled); the plan was to inject poison into his formidable hemorrhoids. Some people argue that the pope and his followers simply concocted the assassination charges in a moneymaking scheme to collect fines from the various wealthy cardinals Leo detested.

Related Topics:
Alfonso Petrucci - Siena - Assassination - Poison - Hemorrhoid

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