Pope Julius II

Pope Julius II was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 1503 to his death, in February 1513. Nicknamed the Warrior Pope, Battle Pope or the Fearsome Pope, he chose his papal name not in honour of Pope Julius I but in emulation of Julius Caesar. One of the most powerful and influential popes, Julius II was a central figure of the High Renaissance and left a significant cultural and political legacy. As a result of his policies during the Italian Wars, the Papal States increased their power and centralization, and the office of the papacy continued to be crucial, diplomatically and politically, during the entirety of the 16th century in Italy and Europe.

5 December 1443

Born on the same birth day (5 December): Art Monk • Conan Gray • Danny Wicks • Frank Wilson (musician) • Hilary Koprowski • Jacopo Sala • Jeroen Krabbé • Keri Hilson • Madis Kõiv • Margaret Cho • Ross Barkley • Sonny Boy Williamson II • Tony Gregory • Władysław Szpilman

Born in the same month (December 1443): Magdalena of Valois