from 1513 to his death in 1521. He was the last non-priest (only a deacon
) to be elected Pope. He is known for granting indulgences for those who donated 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).
Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici was born in Florence
, the second son of Lorenzo the Magnificent, head of the Florentine Republic, and Clarice Orsini
.
From an early age, he was destined for an ecclesiastical career.
Since God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it.
Made thirty, we should make thirty-one
To deny that in a child after baptism sin remains is to treat with contempt both Paul and Christ.
The inflammable sources of sin, even if there be no actual sin, delay a soul departing from the body from entrance into heaven.
To one on the point of death imperfect charity necessarily brings with it great fear, which in itself alone is enough to produce the punishment of purgatory, and impedes entrance into the kingdom.
That there are three parts to penance: contrition, confession, and satisfaction, has no foundation in Sacred Scripture nor in the ancient sacred Christian doctors.
Sins are not forgiven to anyone, unless when the priest forgives them he believes they are forgiven;
Hence, I say, trust confidently, if you have obtained the absolution of the priest, and firmly believe yourself to have been absolved, and you will truly be absolved, whatever there may be of contrition.
Christians must be taught to cherish excommunications rather than to fear them.