Life and Times of Leo the Tenth (1850)

Leo X or Giovanni de Medici was the second son of Lorenzo the Magnificent and from childhood was destined for the church. As the Pope from 1513 to 1521, he was an able administrator, but used his influence to benefit his family. He made Rome a center for European culture, but with his extravagant manner of living, he depleted the papal treasury. Leo X was also known as a patron for art in all forms.