Written by Guide Catholic
Pope Leo X (217º): Medici Pope, Luther & St. Peter's Basilica
Pontificate: 9 March 1513–1 December 1521 · Origin: Florença, República de Florença · Birth name: Leo Decimus
Leo X LEO Decimus was the 217th pope of the Catholic Church, reigning 9 March 1513–1 December 1521 during the Renaissance papacy. Last pope to not have been in the priestly orders at the time of his election to the papacy.
Who Was Pope Leo X LEO Decimus?
Pope Leo X LEO Decimus — 217º in the Catholic list — reigned 9 March 1513–1 December 1521 during the Renaissance papacy. Search interest often clusters around Reformation Era. Citizen of the Republic of Florence. This Guide Catholic profile gathers background, major acts, and legacy so you can read Leo X LEO Decimus beside neighboring pontiffs.
Early Life & Background
Before election he was known as Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici. Born 11 December 1475 Florence, Republic of Florence, he entered a world shaped by politics and piety very different from today's global Church.
Historical Context
Leo X LEO Decimus (#undefined) sat on Peter's chair amid artistic patronage, political intrigue, Reformation shocks, and the widening world of the Americas. Closed the Fifth Council of the Lateran(1517). Under his reign, progress was made on the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica, and artists such as Raphael decorated the Vatican rooms.
Pontificate & Key Events
The pontificate (9 March 1513–1 December 1521) centered on governance during the Renaissance papacy. Son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Remembered for granting indulgences to those who donated to rebuild St. Peter's Basilica and for excommunicating Martin Luther(1521). Extended the Spanish Inquisition into Portugal.
Papal Acts & Achievements
Acts associated with Leo X LEO Decimus (#217, 9 March 1513–1 December 1521) still draw historians and Catholics who want more than a one-line summary. Borrowed and spent money without circumspection and was a significant patron of the arts. Leo X also reorganized the Roman University and promoted the study of literature, poetry, and antiquities.
Key Highlights
- 217th pope of the Catholic Church
- Pontificate: 9 March 1513–1 December 1521
- Closed the Fifth Council of the Lateran(1517).
- Last pope to not have been in the priestly orders at the time of his election to the papacy.
Legacy in the Catholic Church
Leo X LEO Decimus remains pope 217º in the Annuario Pontificio. Set against the Renaissance papacy, Leo X LEO Decimus's choices show both the limits of any one pontiff and the continuity of the office he held.
Why Catholics Study This Pope Today
Place Leo X LEO Decimus on your mental map: 217º successor of Peter, reigning 9 March 1513–1 December 1521, formed by the Renaissance papacy. Start with the concrete record: Closed the Fifth Council of the Lateran(1517). Under his reign, progress was made on the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica, and artists such as Raphael decorated the Vatican rooms. Where bulls, conciliar acts, or encyclicals survive from this reign, they repay readers who want primary sources rather than summaries alone. Use the neighboring pontiff links below to test whether Leo X LEO Decimus's reign looks unique or typical for the Renaissance papacy.
Place in the Line of Succession
Leo X LEO Decimus followed Pope Julius II (216º, 31 October 1503–21 February 1513) after a transition shaped by the politics and piety of their shared century. He was followed by Pope Adrian VI (218º, 9 January 1522–14 September 1523), whose biography continues the chain on Guide Catholic. For the full chronological map, see our complete list of all 267 popes — then read neighboring biographies for contrast, not only continuity.