Pope Leo X

Reign: 1513 – 1521
Life: 1475–1521

Early on in his rule he oversaw the closing sessions of the Fifth Council of the Lateran, but struggled to implement the reforms agreed. In Protestant circles, Leo is associated with granting indulgences for those who donated to reconstruct St. Leo rejected the Protestant Reformation, and his Papal bull of 1520, Exsurge Domine, condemned Luther's condemnatory stance, rendering ongoing communication difficult. He borrowed and spent money without circumspection and was a significant patron of the arts.

During Pope Leo X's reign, Henry VIII of England ruled England, Selim I ruled Ottoman Empire, and Manuel I of Portugal ruled Portugal.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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From the library

Go deeper on Pope Leo X

Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy

John Julius Norwich

Norwich's narrative history of the popes, from Saint Peter's successors to the modern Vatican.

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Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes
Eamon Duffy
A respected Yale survey of papal power, reform, and scandal across two millennia.
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