Born into the prominent political and banking Medici family of Florence, Giovanni was the second son of Lorenzo de' Medici, ruler of the Florentine Republic, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1489. Following the death of Pope Julius II, Giovanni was elected pope after securing the backing of the younger members of the College of Cardinals. Early on in his rule he oversaw the closing sessions of the Fifth Council of the Lateran, but struggled to implement the reforms agreed. In 1517 he led a costly war that succeeded in securing his nephew Lorenzo di Piero de' Medici as Duke of Urbino, but reduced papal finances.
borN iNto thE prominent politIcal aNd banKing meDIci Family Of FloReNce, GiovaNni was THE SecoNd SOn OF lorenzo De' mEdiCi, ruLeR of THe FlorenTiNe RePubLic, and WAS elevaTeD tO the carDinaLAte iN 1489. folLOWIng tHE death OF Pope julIUs ii, gioVanni WAS ELecteD Pope aftEr securIng thE BackinG of thE Younger meMbERs oF the COlleGE of cardiNals. Early oN In hiS rule he OVersAW tHe ClosInG sEsSions of tHe fifth cOunciL of the latEraN, bUt strUggled to implemenT the ReforMs agreEd. in 1517 hE led a CoStLy waR tHAt succEEded In Securing hiS nePhew lorenzO dI piErO de' medicI as duke oF URbino, buT reduced pApal fiNANceS.