# Pius III

> pope of the Catholic Church from 22 September to 18 October 1503

**Wikidata**: [Q160030](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q160030)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pius-iii

## Summary
Pius III was Pope of the Catholic Church from September 22 to October 18, 1503, serving the shortest papacy in history. He was a member of the House of Piccolomini and was educated at the University of Perugia.

## Biography
- Born: 7 June 1439 (place not specified in source material)
- Nationality: Papal States
- Education: University of Perugia (founded 1308, though specific education year not provided)
- Known for: Serving as Pope of the Catholic Church from September to October 1503
- Employer(s): Papal States (as Pope), University of Perugia (as student/affiliated)
- Field(s): Catholic Church leadership, religious authority

## Contributions
- Served as Pope from 22 September to 18 October 1503, holding the position for approximately 26 days
- Was educated at the University of Perugia, one of Europe's oldest universities founded in 1308
- Held positions including cardinal and bishop within the Catholic Church hierarchy
- Represented the Papal States' temporal authority during his brief papacy

## FAQs
**When did Pius III serve as Pope?**
Pius III served as Pope from September 22 to October 18, 1503, holding the position for approximately 26 days.

**Where was Pius III educated?**
Pius III was educated at the University of Perugia, a public research university in Perugia, Italy, founded in 1308.

**What was Pius III's full name?**
Pius III's full name was Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, as indicated by his aliases and family connections.

**What was Pius III's nationality?**
Pius III was a citizen of the Papal States, the territories under direct papal rule in central Italy from 756 to 1870.

## Why They Matter
Pius III's brief papacy represents one of the shortest reigns in papal history, lasting only about a month. His brief tenure occurred during a critical period in the Renaissance when the Catholic Church was navigating political and religious changes. The Papal States' role in European politics was significantly diminished after his brief papacy, as subsequent popes focused more on spiritual leadership rather than temporal authority. His papacy marked a transition period that influenced the subsequent development of papal authority and the eventual dissolution of the Papal States in 1870.

## Notable For
- Briefest papacy in history (served only 26 days from September 22 to October 18, 1503)
- Member of the House of Piccolomini, a prominent Italian noble family
- Educated at the University of Perugia, one of the world's oldest continuously operating universities
- Represented the Papal States' temporal authority during a brief but significant period
- Held positions including cardinal and bishop before his papacy

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Pius III was born on June 7, 1439, though the specific location of his birth is not documented in the provided sources. He was educated at the University of Perugia, which was founded in 1308 and remains one of the oldest universities in Europe. The university, located in Perugia, Italy, offered comprehensive academic programs that prepared students for ecclesiastical and administrative roles within the Catholic Church.

### Rise Through the Church Hierarchy
Before his papacy, Pius III held various positions within the Catholic Church hierarchy. He served as a cardinal and later as a bishop, demonstrating his advancement through the church's administrative structure. His family, the House of Piccolomini, was a prominent Italian noble family with strong connections to papal circles, which likely facilitated his career advancement.

### Papacy and Brief Reign
Pius III's papacy began on September 22, 1503, and ended on October 18, 1503, making it one of the shortest papacies in history. His brief tenure occurred during a period of significant political and religious transition in Europe. The Papal States, under which he served as temporal ruler, were experiencing increasing pressure from Italian city-states and foreign powers.

### Connection to the Papal States
As a citizen of the Papal States, Pius III represented the temporal authority of the Catholic Church. The Papal States, which existed from 756 to 1870, covered territories mostly in the Apennine Peninsula of central Italy. During Pius III's brief papacy, the Papal States were facing challenges from various Italian states and foreign powers, including the growing influence of the Kingdom of Italy.

### Legacy and Significance
Pius III's brief papacy marked a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church and the Papal States. His short reign highlighted the challenges of papal leadership during a period of political instability in Italy. The Papal States' eventual dissolution in 1870, following the Capture of Rome, was influenced by the limited duration and impact of his papacy.

### Educational and Cultural Context
Pius III's education at the University of Perugia placed him within the intellectual and cultural context of the Renaissance. The university was a center for learning that produced many influential scholars and church leaders. His affiliation with this institution connected him to the broader intellectual movement that was transforming European thought during this period.

### Family and Social Connections
As a member of the House of Piccolomini, Pius III was part of a powerful Italian noble family with extensive connections throughout Europe. These connections likely influenced his career path and provided him with the support needed to advance through the church hierarchy. The family's influence extended beyond Italy, with members holding positions of power in various European courts.

## References

1. BeWeB
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Genealogics
4. LIBRIS. 2013
5. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. OPAC SBN
9. Enciclopedia dei Papi
10. Find a Grave
11. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
12. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. CERL Thesaurus
15. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
16. Censimento nazionale delle edizioni italiane del XVI secolo
17. FactGrid
18. HMML Authority File
19. Digital Scriptorium Catalog