Complex sentence: Distinguished as an effective diplomat, he was elected to the papacy as a compromise candidate after the death of Paul III. As pope he made only reluctant and short-lived attempts at reform, mostly devoting himself to a life of personal pleasure.
Split into simpler sentences: Distinguished as an effective diplomat, he was elected to the papacy as a compromise candidate. As Pope he made only reluctant and short-lived attempts at reform, mostly devoting himself to a life of personal pleasure.