PIO III, POPE. - Francesco Todeschini, born in Siena around 1440, died in Rome on 18 October 1503. Son of a sister of Pio II, he received from him the surname Piccolomini, the archbishopric of Siena, the purple (5 March 1460), the legation in the Marches, and the office of vicar in Rome and in the Papal States upon the Pontiff’s departure for Ancona.
From the subsequent pontiffs he received legations and offices. Praised for integrity of life, kindness of spirit, culture, and love of art, he had, among other works, begun the construction of the Library of Siena Cathedral, entrusting its decoration (1502) to Pinturicchio. He was elected Pope in the Conclave following the death of Alessandro VI, through a compromise among the various factions (22 September 1503); and his election was received with joy. He would have desired the reform of the Church and peace in Christendom; but being infirm, weak in character, and beset by fear that the Venetians might take advantage of the collapse of the Borgia to extend their dominion in Romagna, he adopted toward the Valentino an uncertain course, which aroused distrust and apprehension. He died on 18 October 1503, after a troubled pontificate. - See pl. CII.
Giovanni Battista Picotti