Born: 11 December 1475 · Died: 1 December 1521 · Age at death: 45
How old was Leo X when he died?
Leo X died aged 45. He was born on 11 December 1475 and died on 1 December 1521.
Renaissance Pope and member of the powerful Medici family
Did you know?He famously had a pet white elephant named Hanno, which was a gift from the King of Portugal and lived at the Vatican.
Quick facts
Date of birth11 December 1475
Date of death1 December 1521
Age at death45
NationalityItalian
BirthplaceFlorence, Italy
OccupationLatin Catholic priest, Catholic priest
Editor's Take:
Leo X brought Medici taste and spending to Rome at a moment when the Church could least afford it. He drained the papal treasury on art, festivals and war. To fund the rebuilding of St Peter's he promoted the sale of indulgences in Germany. That campaign provoked Martin Luther's challenge in 1517, which Leo badly underestimated. By the time he excommunicated Luther, the Reformation was already spreading. His papacy left Rome dazzling and the western Church divided.
Key Milestones
1513: Elected pope
1520: Condemns Martin Luther's teachings
1521: Excommunicates Martin Luther
Pope Leo X (Italian: Leone X; born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, 11 December 1475 – 1 December 1521) was head of the Catholic Church and leader of the Papal States from 9 March 1513 to his death in December 1521.
