Description: (Head of the Roman Catholic Church (April 1605))
Pope Leo XI, a member of the House of Medici, had a distinguished career within the Catholic Church. He served in various roles, including as Florence's ambassador to the pope, Bishop of Pistoia, Archbishop of Florence, Papal legate to France, and cardinal Prefect for the Congregation of Bishops and Regulars. Despite facing initial opposition, he was ordained as a priest in 1567. Leo XI was elected as Pope in March 1605, but his pontificate lasted only 27 days, making it one of the shortest in history.