Pope Marcellus II

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Marcellus II, né Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi (May 6, 1501 – May 1, 1555), cardinal of Santa Croce, a native of the area of Ancona, Italy, was elected Pope to succeed Pope Julius III (1550–55) on April 9, 1555.

Cervini was the son of Ricardo Cervini who was the Apostolic Treasurer in Ancona. Template:Ref He also had an interest in astrology and upon discovering that his son's horoscope presaged high ecclesiastical honours, he set the young Cervini on a path to the priesthood. Template:Ref

Image:Coat of arms marcellus II.jpg

After a period of study at Siena, Cervini moved to Rome to continue his studies. Template:Ref In 1534 he was appointed a papal secretary for Pope Paul III (1534–49) and served as a close advisor to the pope's nephew Alessandro Farnese. Template:Ref Paul III later appointed him bishop of Nicastro, Italy in 1539. Template:Ref Cervini did not undergo the rite of ordination as a bishop at that time. Template:Ref Paul III created him the cardinal-priest of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme on December 19, 1539. Template:Ref Over the course of next decade Cervini also became the apostolic administrator of the dioceses of Reggio and Gubbio. Template:Ref During the Council of Trent he was elected one of the council's three presidents along with fellow cardinals Reginald Pole and Giovanni del Monte (the future Pope Julius III) and continued to serve in that role throughout the remainder of Paul III's papacy after which he was replaced to placate the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (1519–56). Template:Ref In 1548 he was appointed the librarian of the Vatican. Template:Ref

On April 9, 1555, the fourth day of the papal conclave following the death of Julius III (1550–55), Cervini was elected Pope despite efforts by the Emperor Charles V to veto his election. Template:Ref The new Pope quickly broke with long standing tradition and chose to reign under his birth name as Marcellus II. He is also the last Pope to date whose regnal name corresponds with his first name at birth. Marcellus II was both ordained as a bishop and crowned Pope on the next day in a subdued ceremony on account of it falling during the Lenten season. Template:Ref His ordination as a bishop was required as although he had administered several dioceses as a bishop, he had never previously been ritually consecrated as such. Template:Ref

Image:Tomb-Marcellus II.JPG Though Marcellus II desired to reform many of the inner workings of the church, his feeble constitution succumbed to the fatigues of the conclave, the exhausting ceremonies connected with his ascension, the anxieties arising from his high office, and overexertion in his performance of the pontifical functions of the Holy Week and Easter. Template:Ref He quickly fell ill and despite being wrapped in steaming sheep skins, he died on the 22nd day after his election. Template:Ref

Marcellus II had a high reputation for integrity, tact and ability. The Missa Papae Marcelli of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina is traditionally believed to have been composed in his honor. Template:Ref Having reigned for just 22 calendar days, Pope Marcellus II ranks sixth on the list of 10 shortest-reigning Popes. His successor was Pope Paul IV (1555–59).

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References

Template:Note "Pope Marcellus II." The Catholic Encyclopedia. 1914, available at [1].

Template:Note Pirie, Valérie. The Triple Crown: An Account of the Papal Conclaves From the Fifteenth Century to the Present Day. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1936, available at [2].

Template:Note The Catholic Encyclopedia, supra note 1.

Template:Note Id.