Leo XI: Another Medici Pope, another friend of St. Philip Neri, and another short papacy.

In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Leo XI, who succeeded Pope Clement VIII, who also had short papacy and was yet another friend of St. Philip Neri. You can listen to the podcast about him here.

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Born, Alessandro Ottaviano de'Medici on June 2, 1535 in Florence to Ottaviano de' Medici and Francesca Salviati. Pope Leo X was his great-nephew. Alessandro received an education at home by a Dominican priest, Vincenzo Ercolano.

His mother opposed Alessandro to become a priest because he was the only male in the family. After his mother died in 1566, he resumed his studies to become a priest. He received the Sacrament of Holy Orders on July 22, 1567.

He served as Florentine ambassador to Pope Pius V and became Bishop of Pistoia under Pope Gregory XIII.

On March 14, 1605 62 cardinals entered the conclave after the death of Pope Clement VIII. On April 1, 1605, Cardinal Alessandro de' Medici was elected as pope. He chose the name Leo XI to honor his uncle.

Leo XI reached 70 years of age at the time of his coronation and he died 27 days later from fatigue and a cold he received in procession to St. John Lateran.