Giovanni de' Medici was a shrewd strategist who became pope before the age of 40. As a cardinal, he ended the Medicis’ exile in Florence, returning the dynasty to their seat of power. As pope, he would nearly bankrupt the Vatican — and upend the Christian world. This episode first aired on Dictators. New episodes every Tuesday. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices