Pope Julius II, also known as the ‘Fearsome Pope’ and the ‘Warrior Pope’, was a prominent figure in the Roman Catholic Church and the ruler of the Papal States from 1503 to 1513. Despite his focus on re-establishing the Pontifical States and freeing Italy from French control, he remained dedicated to his spiritual duties as the head of the Church. Pope Julius II took significant actions against corruption and heresy, while also promoting the arts by commissioning renowned artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bramante.
Quick Facts
- Italian Celebrities Born In December
- Also Known As: Giuliano della Rovere
- Died At Age: 69
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: no value
- Father: Raffaele della Rovere
- Mother: Theodora Manerola
- Siblings: Giovanni della Rovere
- Children: Felice della Rovere
- Born Country: Italy
- Italian Men
- Italian Spiritual & Religious Leaders
- Died on: February 21, 1513
- Place of Death: Rome, Italy
- Cause of Death: Fever
- Ancestry: Greek Italian
- Founder/Co-Founder: Vatican Museums
Childhood & Early Life
Pope Julius II, born as Giuliano della Rovere Albisola on December 5, 1443, in Albisola near Savona in the Republic of Genoa, was the son of Raffaelo della Rovere and Theodora Manerola. He had four siblings: Bartolomeo, Leonardo, Giovanni, and Lucina. His uncle, Francesco della Rovere, who later became Pope Sixtus IV, educated him. He sent Giuliano to the Franciscan friary in Perugia, where he studied the sciences at the university.
Cardinalate
Giuliano della Rovere was appointed Bishop of Carpentras in the Comtat Venaissin by his uncle in 1471 and was raised to the cardinalate in 1471. He held several powerful offices simultaneously, including the archbishopric of Avignon and at least eight bishoprics. In 1475, his uncle created the new Archdiocese of Avignon and appointed Giuliano as the first archbishop. He served as Papal Legate to France in 1480 and played a role in various diplomatic negotiations.
Papacy
After the death of Pope Alexander VI in 1503, Giuliano della Rovere returned to Rome as a strong candidate for the papacy. However, Francesco Piccolomini became Pope Pius III. Pius III’s reign was short, and after his death, Giuliano della Rovere secured the papal throne as Pope Julius II by offering bribes and making promises to the cardinals.
As pope, Julius II condemned his predecessor and worked to strengthen his temporal authority. He reconciled two powerful Roman families, the Orsini and Colonna, and made decrees in favor of the Roman nobility. He also expelled the Venetians from various places in the ecclesiastical territory of Romagna and formed an alliance between France and the Holy Roman Empire.
Julius II led military campaigns to free the papal cities of Perugia and Bologna from despots. He joined the League of Cambrai, formed by Emperor Maximilian I and Louis XII of France, to defeat the Venetians. After the victory, he set the terms for the Venetians’ release from previous bans.
Julius II then focused on freeing Italy from French control and formed the Holy League. This alliance, which included the pope, the Venetians, Spain, England, the Swiss Cantons, and the Holy Roman Empire, defeated the French in the battle of Ravenna in 1512.
Despite his declining health, Julius II convoked the Fifth Lateran Council in 1512. He attended two sessions of the council, primarily to receive the formal adhesion of Emperor Maximilian. Julius II died on February 21, 1513.
Death & Legacy
Following his death, Pope Julius II’s remains were initially laid alongside his uncle, Pope Sixtus IV. However, after the Sack of Rome in 1527, they were moved to St. Peter’s Basilica. Julius II had commissioned an imposing tomb from Michelangelo to be placed at St. Peter’s Basilica, but it was instead placed in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli.