Everything about Pope Marcellus Ii totally explained
Pope Marcellus II (
May 6,
1501 –
May 1,
1555), born
Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi was
Pope from
April 5 1555, succeeding
Pope Julius III. Before his accession as Pope he'd been
cardinal of
Santa Croce. He was also the last Pope not to change his name on his accession.
A native of
Montefano, he was the son of Ricardo Cervini who was the Apostolic Treasurer in
Ancona. 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.
After a period of study at Siena, Cervini moved to Rome to continue his studies. 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. Paul III later appointed him
bishop of Nicastro, Italy in 1539. Cervini didn't undergo the rite of ordination as a bishop at that time. Paul III created him the cardinal-priest of
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme on December 19, 1539. Over the course of next decade Cervini also became the apostolic administrator of the dioceses of
Reggio and
Gubbio. During the
Council of Trent he was elected one of the council's three presidents, along with fellow cardinals
Reginald Pole and
Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte (the future
Pope Julius III). He 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). In 1548 he was appointed the librarian of the
Vatican.
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. 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. His ordination as a bishop was required as although he'd administered several dioceses as a bishop, he'd never previously been ritually consecrated as such.
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. He quickly fell ill and despite being wrapped in steaming sheep skins, he died on the 22nd day after his election.
Marcellus II had a high reputation for integrity, tact and ability.
Palestrina's
Missa Papae Marcelli (dating from 1565 or before ) is traditionally believed to have been composed in his honor. 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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