Pope Pius III

Born Francesco Todeschini, he took the Piccolomini name from his uncle Pope Pius II, who advanced his career and made him a cardinal at twenty-one. A respected, learned, and personally upright administrator, he long served as a papal legate and was associated with the magnificent Piccolomini Library in Siena cathedral. Elected as a compromise candidate after Alexander VI's death, Pius III was already aged and infirm. He reigned barely twenty-six days before dying in October 1503, leaving little chance to pursue the Church reform many hoped his honest reputation might bring. His brief tenure is largely a footnote between two forceful pontificates.