page_title: House of Medici
section_title: Popes
hierarchical_section_title: House of Medici / Popes
context_page_description: The House Medici or Medici family was a very important family in Florence, Italy from the year 1300 to about 1600. They were the richest family in Europe for many years. Many leaders of Florence during the Renaissance were Medicis. The Medicis were important because they ran many banks, including the most important bank in Europe. They were so powerful they became like a royal family. 4 popes of the Catholic Church were from the Medici. Their names were Pope Leo X, Pope Clement VII, Pope Pius IV, and Pope Leo XI 2 Queens of France were from the medici- Catherine de’ Medici and Marie de’ Medici.The heir to the Tuscan throne was traditionally known as the Grand Prince.
  The family ruled the state with the title of Grand Duke of Tuscany.
context_section_description: Pope Leo X (1513-1521), born Giovanni de' Medici
  Pope Clement VII (1523-1534), born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici
  Pope Pius IV (1559-1565), born Giovanni Angelo Medici
  Pope Leo XI (1605), born Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici
caption: The Medici family had this painting done by Benozzo Gozzoli on the wall of the chapel in their palace. It shows members of the family as the Three Wise Men.
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