Pope Pius III

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Pius III
Papacy began22 September 1503
Papacy ended18 October 1503
PredecessorPope Alexander VI
SuccessorPope Julius II
Personal details
Birth nameFrancesco Todeschini Piccolomini
Born(1439-05-29)May 29, 1439
DiedOctober 18, 1503(1503-10-18) (aged 64)
Other popes named Pius

Pope Pius III (Latin: Pius Tertius; 29 May 1439 – 18 October 1503), born Franchesco Todeschini and also known as Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 216th Pope from 22 September to 18 October 1503.[1]

Early life[change | change source]

Francesco Todeschini was born in Siena.[2] He was the nephew of Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, who would become Pope Pius II. He was allowed by uncle to take his mother's maiden name of Piccolomini.[3] His studies in law at the University of Perugia led to a doctorate degree.[2]

Bishop[change | change source]

In 1460, Pius II appointed Todeschini to be Bishop of Siena.[2]

Cardinal[change | change source]

Todeschini was named Cardinal of St. Eustachio in 1460.[2] He was sent on diplomatic missions by Pope Paul II, Pope Sixtus IV and Pope Alexander VI.[4]

Pope[change | change source]

Cardinal Piccolomini was elected pope on September 22, 1503, His choice of name honors his uncle Pius II.[2]

This pope's reign lasted less than a month.[5]

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

The Coat of Arms of Pius III [6]
  1. "List of Popes," Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-02.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Pope Pius III," Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2011-10-31.
  3. Library of Congress Authority File, Pius III, Pope, ca. 1440-1503; retrieved 2011-10-30.
  4. Chisholm, Hugh (1911). Encyclopedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information. University Press. p. 684.
  5. Penny Cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. C. Knight. 1840. p. 198.
  6. Note that Pius II and his nephew Pius III share the same coat-of-arms

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to Pius III at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
Alexander VI
Pope
1503
Succeeded by
Julius II