Pope Leo X (Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici)

Pope Leo X, born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, was pope from 1513 to 1521 and a member of the influential Medici family. Known for his patronage of the arts and culture, he supported figures like Michelangelo and Raphael. However, his papacy is also marked by excessive spending and political controversies. His handling of issues like Martin Luther’s Reformation efforts contributed to the upheaval that eventually led to the Protestant Reformation. Leo X’s leadership reflects a period of both cultural flourishing and significant religious turbulence within the Catholic Church.