Born: 26 May 1478 · Died: 25 September 1534 · Age at death: 56
How old was Clement VII when he died?
Clement VII died aged 56. He was born on 26 May 1478 and died on 25 September 1534.
Pope whose refusal to annul Henry VIII’s marriage caused the Reformation
Did you know?During the Sack of Rome in 1527, he was forced to flee through a secret passageway and take refuge in the Castel Sant'Angelo.
Quick facts
Date of birth26 May 1478
Date of death25 September 1534
Age at death56
Cause of deathPoison
NationalityItalian
BirthplaceFlorence, Italy
OccupationCatholic priest, transitional deacon
Editor's Take:
Clement VII's papacy was a series of political disasters. He switched alliances between France and the Habsburg emperor and was punished for it. Unpaid imperial soldiers sacked Rome and forced him to flee. His refusal to annul Henry VIII's marriage helped trigger the English Reformation. As a Medici, he was also a great patron of the arts. Michelangelo's work for him included the Medici Chapel.
Key Milestones
1523: Elected pope
1527: Rome is sacked by imperial troops
1530: Crowns Charles V emperor in Bologna
Pope Clement VII (Latin: Clemens VII; Italian: Clemente VII; born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici; 26 May 1478 – 25 September 1534) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 19 November 1523 to his death on 25 September 1534.
