The Pontificate of Adrian VI (9 January 1522 - 14 September 1523)

The article discusses Adrian’s election and evaluates his actual activities as pope. As soon as the conclave was over, the cardinals realised they had elected a dangerous man, as Cardinal Gonzaga commented: “one might even say that the Emperor will be the Pope and the Pope Emperor”. The new Pope’s chances for success quickly began to diminish. It can be concluded that Adrian did not accomplish the goals he had set for himself because, along with the plague and financial troubles, he was primarily incapable of winning over people to his cause. His Northern stubbornness did not help to conquer Italian hearts.