Pope Pius III

Papal styles of
**Pope Pius III**
Papal styles of; Pope Pius III
Reference style	His Holiness
Spoken style	Your Holiness
Religious style	Holy Father
Posthumous style	None

Pope

Pius III
Pope; Pius III
Bishop of Rome
Church	Catholic Church
Papacy began	22 September 1503
Papacy ended	18 October 1503
Predecessor	Alexander VI
Successor	Julius II
Previous post(s)	Cardinal-Deacon of San Eustachio (1460–1503); Administrator of Siena (1460–1503); Archbishop of Siena (1460–1503); Archdeacon of Brabant (1462–1503); Legate to Rome and the Papal States (1464); Cardinal Protodeacon (1471–1503); Administrator of Fermo (1485–1494); Legate to Perugia (1488–1489); Cardinal Protector of England (1492–1503); Cardinal Protector of Germany (1492–1503); Legate to France (1493–1495); Administrator of Pienza and Montalcino (1495–1498); Administrator of Fermo (1496–1503);
Orders
Ordination	30 September 1503; by Giuliano della Rovere
Consecration	1 October 1503; by Giuliano della Rovere
Created cardinal	5 March 1460; by Pius II
Personal details
Born	Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini; 9 May 1439; Sarteano, Republic of Siena
Died	18 October 1503 (aged 64); Rome, Papal States
Buried	St. Peter's Basilica, later moved to Sant'Andrea della Valle
Coat of arms
	Other popes named Pius

Pope Pius III (Italian: Pio III, Latin: Pius Tertius; 9 May 1439 – 18 October 1503),^[1] born Francesco Todeschini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 22 September 1503 to his death. At just twenty-six days, he had one of the shortest pontificates in papal history.^[2]

Francesco was the nephew of Pope Pius II, who granted him the use of the family name "Piccolomini", and appointed the twenty-one-year old Francesco as Archbishop of Siena. He served as papal legate in a number of places. In 1503, the now-frail Francesco, known as Cardinal Piccolomini, was elected pope as a compromise candidate between the Borgia and della Rovere factions. Although he announced plans for reforms, he died less than a month later.

^ It is frequently stated that Piccolomini was born on 29 May. This is an error. His memorial inscription from St. Peter's Basilica states that he died at the age of 64 years, 5 months, and ten days, which fits with 9 May, but cannot be reconciled with 29 May. The inscription is quoted by Alfonso Chacón (Ciaconius) (1677). Agostino Olduin (ed.). Vitae et res gestae pontificum romanorum: et S.R.E. cardinalium ab initio nascentis ecclesiae usque ad Clementem IX P. O. M. (in Latin). Vol. III (secunda ed.). Roma: P. et A. De Rubeis (Rossi). pp. 213–214.
^ Hendrix, p. 173.

[1] It is frequently stated that Piccolomini was born on 29 May. This is an error. His memorial inscription from St. Peter's Basilica states that he died at the age of 64 years, 5 months, and ten days, which fits with 9 May, but cannot be reconciled with 29 May. The inscription is quoted by Alfonso Chacón (Ciaconius) (1677). Agostino Olduin (ed.). Vitae et res gestae pontificum romanorum: et S.R.E. cardinalium ab initio nascentis ecclesiae usque ad Clementem IX P. O. M. (in Latin). Vol. III (secunda ed.). Roma: P. et A. De Rubeis (Rossi). pp. 213–214.

[2] Hendrix, p. 173.

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