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| Pope Leo X - patron of the Arts |
"The Church needs a reformation. And this cannot be the work either of asingle man, as the pope - but it must be that of the whole world" (Martin Luther)
Pope Leo X was born Giovanni de Medici in 1475 and raised in Italy'smost culturally sophisticated city, Florence, as part of the prestigious de' Medici family, renowned patronsof the arts, benefactors of scholarship, and masters of political intrigue.
He became one of the most extravagant of all Popes, more a patron of the arts as his parents werethan a significant ecclesiastical figure. He was a skilful administrator, and became Pope atthe age of 37 in 1513.
Immediately Leo demonstrated his appreciation of art by initiating a massive building projectto beautify the Vatican. The pomp and extravagance of his court was an indirect cause of theReformation because to acquire the enormous sums of money for renovation, he encouraged thesale of "Indulgences," which was a promise of relief from eternal penalties.
In Germany this practice aroused the ire of Martin Luther, a humble monk, who issued ninety-five arguments for church reform.
Luther wrote in his 95 Theses, his criticism of the Church - "why doesn't the Pope build the basilica of St Peter's out of his own money?".
German nobles saw an opportunity to cut off currency flowing to Rome that was very much neededat home, so they backed Luther's cause. In 1520, Leo issued the papal bull Exsurge Dominedemanding Luther retract 41 of his 95 theses, and after Luther's refusal, excommunicated him.
Some historians believe that Leo never really took Luther's movement or his followers seriously,even until the time of his death in 1521. They also contend that if he had been more interestedin religion than artwork, the Reformation may never have happened.
Pope Leo X was also the Patron of the artist Raphael and granted King Henry VIII of England thetitle 'Defender of the Faith'. He was the last pope to look at the papacy as a temporal monarchy.
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