Pope Pius III


Pius III
Bishop of Rome
ChurchCatholic Church
Papacy began22 September 1503
Papacy ended18 October 1503
PredecessorAlexander VI
SuccessorJulius 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
Ordination30 September 1503
by Giuliano della Rovere
Consecration1 October 1503
by Giuliano della Rovere
Created cardinal5 March 1460
by Pius II
Personal details
Born
Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini

9 May 1439
Died18 October 1503(1503-10-18) (aged 64)
Rome, Papal States
BuriedSt. Peter's Basilica, later moved to Sant'Andrea della Valle
Coat of armsPius III's coat of arms
Other popes named Pius
Papal styles of
Pope Pius III
Reference styleHis Holiness
Spoken styleYour Holiness
Religious styleHoly Father
Posthumous styleNone

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.

  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.