# Marcellus II

> pope of the Catholic Church and bishop of Rome from 9 April to 1 May 1555

**Wikidata**: [Q101776](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101776)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Marcellus_II)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/marcellus-ii

## Summary
Marcellus II was the pope of the Catholic Church and bishop of Rome who served a brief pontificate from 9 April to 1 May 1555. Born Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi, he is notable for his tenure as a Catholic priest, bishop, and librarian prior to his papal election.

## Biography
- **Born:** 6 May 1501
- **Died:** 1 May 1555 (alternatively listed as 6 May 1555)
- **Nationality:** Italian (affiliated with University of Siena, Italy)
- **Education:** University of Siena
- **Occupations:** Catholic priest, Catholic bishop, librarian, human
- **Known for:** Serving as Pope of the Catholic Church (1555)
- **Field(s):** Catholicism, Papacy

## Contributions
Marcellus II served as the head of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome. His papacy, commencing on April 9, 1555, was one of the shortest in history, concluding on May 1, 1555. Prior to his election, he was recognized for his work as a librarian and his affiliation with the University of Siena.

## FAQs
**Q: When did Marcellus II serve as pope?**
A: Marcellus II served as pope from 9 April 1555 until his death on 1 May 1555.

**Q: What was Marcellus II's birth name?**
A: His birth name was Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi.

**Q: With which educational institution was Marcellus II affiliated?**
A: He was educated at and affiliated with the University of Siena, an Italian university founded in 1240.

**Q: What were Marcellus II's professions before becoming pope?**
A: Before his papacy, he was a Catholic priest, a Catholic bishop, and a librarian.

## Why They Matter
Marcellus II matters historically as a Renaissance humanist who ascended to the highest office in the Catholic Church. His affiliation with the University of Siena and his role as a librarian highlight the intersection of religious leadership and scholarly pursuit during the 16th century. Despite a pontificate lasting less than a month, his election marked a significant moment in the chain of papal succession during the Counter-Reformation period.

## Notable For
- Serving as Pope of the Catholic Church and Bishop of Rome.
- Holding one of the shortest pontificates in history (22 days).
- Being a member of the human classification (Homo sapiens) and a prominent Catholic figure.
- Affiliation with the University of Siena as a student.
- Occupation as a librarian, distinguishing him among church leaders.

## Body

### Overview
Marcellus II, born Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi, is identified in historical records as a pope of the Catholic Church and the bishop of Rome. His reign was extremely brief, spanning from 9 April to 1 May 1555. He is also recognized by several aliases including Pope Marcellus II, pape Marcel II, Marcellus PP. II, papa Marcello II, and Marcellus II. Papst.

### Early Life and Education
Marcellus II was born on 6 May 1501. He was educated at the University of Siena (Università degli Studi di Siena), an Italian university located in Siena, Italy. The university, founded in 1240, is a historically significant institution for higher education and research. His educational background at this institution connects him to a network of academic and scholarly traditions in Italy.

### Career and Roles
Before and during his ascent in the church hierarchy, Marcellus II held several distinct roles:
*   **Catholic Priest:** He was an ordained minister in the Catholic Church.
*   **Catholic Bishop:** He served as an ordained minister holding the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders.
*   **Librarian:** He worked professionally in libraries, a role that underscores his connection to humanist scholarship and knowledge preservation.
*   **Human:** Biologically classified as a member of Homo sapiens.

### Papacy
Marcellus II assumed the papacy, the form of government in the Catholic Church, on 9 April 1555. His time as the Bishop of Rome was cut short by his death on 1 May 1555. Some records alternatively list his death date as 6 May 1555.

### Identifiers and Legacy
Marcellus II is extensively cataloged in international authority files and databases, reflecting his historical significance. His records appear across numerous platforms:
*   **Library and Archival IDs:** VIAF 42633089, ISNI 0000000107996216, Library of Congress ID no90016423, GND 118730819, and many others including BNF, SUDOC, and SELIBR identifiers.
*   **Biographical Dictionaries:** He is listed in the *Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani* and the *Encyclopædia Britannica* (ID biography/Marcellus-II).
*   **Visual Records:** Portraits and coats of arms are preserved, such as "Portrait of Pope Marcellus II Cervini" in the Vatican Museums and the coat of arms file "C o a Marcelus II.svg".
*   **Genealogical Records:** FamilySearch ID G8L2-8Q7 and Geni.com profile ID 6000000009544683391.

### Affiliations
His primary academic affiliation was with the University of Siena. The university context provided by sources notes it as an institution with roughly 20,000 students and extensive library subsidiaries, which aligns with Marcellus II's own professional background as a librarian. The university maintains categories for alumni and academic staff, linking historical figures like Marcellus II to its long-standing academic community.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Genealogics
3. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
4. datos.bne.es
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. Find a Grave
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. IdRef
11. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
12. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
13. Enciclopedia Treccani
14. Censimento nazionale delle edizioni italiane del XVI secolo
15. [LIBRIS. 2012](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/b8nrwx3v2kx8bkz)
16. Dizionario di Storia
17. FactGrid
18. HMML Authority File