Pope Julius II (5 December 1443 – 21 February 1513), born Giuliano della Rovere, was Pope from 1503 to 1513. His reign was marked by an aggressive foreign policy, ambitious building projects, and patronage for the arts.

Pope Julius II

Pope Julius II (5 December 1443 – 21 February 1513), born Giuliano della Rovere, was Pope from…

Pope Leo X, born Giovanni de' Medici (December 11, 1475 – December 1, 1521) was Pope from 1513 to his death. He was the last non-priest to be elected Pope. He is known primarily for the sale of indulgences to reconstruct St. Peter's Basilica and his challenging of Martin Luther's 95 theses. He was the second son of Lorenzo de' Medici, the most famous ruler of the Florentine Republic, and Clarice Orsini. His cousin, Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici, would later succeed him as Pope Clement VII (1523–34).

Pope Leo X

Pope Leo X, born Giovanni de' Medici (December 11, 1475 – December 1, 1521) was Pope from 1513…

Pope Paul III (February 29, 1468 – November 10, 1549), born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1534 to his death in 1549. He also called the Council of Trent in 1545. Born in Canino, Latium (then part of the Papal States), Farnese was the oldest son of Pier Luigi Farnese, Signore di Montalto (1435-1487) and wife Giovanna Caetani, descended from the Caetani family, which had also produced Pope Boniface VIII. He was one of the few Popes to have fathered children before his election, by Silvia Ruffini, one of whom, Pier Luigi, he created Duke of Parma. The others were Ranuccio Farnese and Costanza Farnese.

Pope Paul III

Pope Paul III (February 29, 1468 – November 10, 1549), born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the…