Adrian VI, pope

Adrian VI, 1459–1523, pope (1522–23), a Netherlander (b. Utrecht) named Adrian Florensz; successor of Leo X. He taught at Louvain and was tutor of the young prince, later Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. This was a time when Roman life was extravagant, papal expenditures on worldly objects were lavish, and the Curia needed drastic reform. Adrian, an ascetic and a pious man, did his best to curb the abuses he found, but he died after 20 months. He was succeeded by Clement VII.

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