Pope Marcellus II

Marcellus II Birth name Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi Papacy began April 9, 1555(elected), April 10, 1555(proclaimed) Papacy ended May 1, 1555Predecessor Julius IIISuccessor Paul IVBorn May 6, 1501(1501-05-06)
Montefano, ItalyDied May 1, 1555(aged 53)
Rome, Italy Other popes named Marcellus

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 had 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.[1] 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.[2]

Coat of Arms of Pope Marcellus II.

After a period of study at Siena, Cervini moved to Rome to continue his studies.[3] 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.[4] Paul III later appointed him bishop of Nicastro, Italy in 1539.[5] Cervini did not undergo the rite of ordination as a bishop at that time.[6] Paul III created him the cardinal-priest of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme on December 19, 1539.[7] Over the course of next decade Cervini also became the apostolic administrator of the dioceses of Reggio and Gubbio.[8] 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).[9] In 1548 he was appointed the librarian of the Vatican.[10]

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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]

The tomb of Pope Marcellus II in the grottoes of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

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.[14] He quickly fell ill and despite being wrapped in steaming sheep skins, he died on the 22nd day after his election.[15]

Marcellus II had a high reputation for integrity, tact and ability. Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli (dating from 1565 or before [16]) is traditionally believed to have been composed in his honor.[17] 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).

References

^ "Pope Marcellus II" in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia.
^ 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.
^ The Catholic Encyclopedia, supra note 1.
^ Id.
^ Id.
^ Id.
^ Id.
^ Id.
^ Id.
^ Id.
^ Pirie, supra note 2.
^ The Catholic Encyclopedia, supra note 1.
^ Id.
^ Id. See also Pirie, supra note 2.
^ Pirie, supra note 2.
^ "Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina" in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia.
^ Catholic Encyclopedia, supra note 1.