April 1555 conclave
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The April 1555 papal conclave was convoked after the death of Pope Julius III. The cardinals at the conclave generally grouped themselves into three major factions, according to their alignment with t
Portrait of Pope Marcellus II Cervini
Pope Marcellus II
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Pope Marcellus II, born Marcello Cervini degli Spannocchi, was head of the Catholic Church and leader of the Papal States from 10 April 1555 to his death, 22 days later.
April 1555 conclave
…Marcello Cervini. Cervini was elected Julius's successor, and chose to maintain his baptismal (birth) name as his papal name, becoming consecrated as Marcellus II. Pope Julius III died on March 23, 1555. Thirty-seven out of fifty-seven cardinals participated in the election of his successor…
Pope Marcellus and his successor Pope Paul IV depicted in the 1581 edition of Seconde partie dv promptvaire des medalles by Guillaume Rouillé
Portrait of Cardinal Cervini by Jacopino del Conte, c. 1550
The tomb of Pope Marcellus II in the grottoes of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City