A short papacy but a beautiful Mass that came from it. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pope Marcellus II, who succeeded Pope Julius III, listen to the episode about him here.

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Pope Marcellus II, born Marcello Cervini degli Spannocchi, succeeded Pope Julius III. Marcello resided in a small village near Macerata and Loreto known as Montefano when born. A sister married Vincenzo Bellarmino and was mother to St. Robert Bellarmine. Marcello received his education locally, at Siena, and at Florence. He also received instruction in jurisprudence, philosophy, and mathematics.

Marcello received the Sacrament of Holy Orders in 1535. Pope Julius III died in 1555 and the conclave elected Marcello and he took the name Pope Marcellus II.

With the anxieties that arose from taking the high office and overexertion of papal functions during Holy Week and Easter, Pope Marcellus II fell ill. On the morning of April 30th, he suffered a stroke, entered a coma and that night he died, 22 days after his election.

He was succeeded by Pope Paul IV and his tomb is in the grottoes of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.