Pope Clement VII Biography

Pope Clement VII was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 19 November 1523 to 25 September 1534. Having previously served as the Archbishop of Florence, he took charge of the papacy during a very delicate situation, right after the end of the Italian Renaissance. The subsequent years brought huge challenges for Pope Clement VII with the political and religious hurdles growing bigger with time. Many believed Clement VII was the fittest person to take charge of the papacy during one of the toughest times in world politics and religious faith. He had held multiple important posts like those of Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Dominica, Cardinal-Priest of San Clement, and Cardinal-Priest of San Lorenzo in Damaso, before becoming the Archbishop of Florence. With a reputation of serving his previous posts with dignity and distinction, Clement VII faced many challenges like the ‘Protestant Reformation’, foreign invasion, bankruptcy as well as getting caught between two powerful kings, Francis I of France and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. During the unfortunate events of ‘Sack of Rome’ in 1527, he was captured and imprisoned by Charles V. Upon his escape from confinement, Clement VII was forced to compromise the church’s independence. Pope Clement VII was known for his approval of science and for protecting the Jews from the Portuguese Inquisition. He is also remembered for securing the southern European island of Malta for the Knights of Malta.