Quick: what is the one thing that every Italian Renaissance man– including Lorenzo the Magnificent, ruler of the Florentine republic— wanted?

To have their son named Pope, of course!

And Lorenzo got his wish!

And on top of that, Lorenzo’s son, known as Pope Leo X, had his portrait painted by Raphael.  Wow, some people really do have all the luck!

Pope Leo X had the good fortune to be born in Florence (in 1475), the second son of il magnifico.  His birthname was Giovanni di Lorenzo de’ Medici.  In Italian families, the eldest son inherited the business or other elite endeavors of the father; the second son went into the church.  Young Giovanni was therefore destined to rise in church hierarchy and, sure enough, was made a cardinale in 1489 at the ripe age of 14. He must have been filled with wisdom at this…