Changes

The future Pope was born Giuliano della Rovere, in 1443, to a noble but impoverished family. His uncle became Pope Sixtus IV in 1471. As was the custom of the time, the new Pope awarded many Sixtus appointed Julius to offices and titles from his unclegranted him various awards. In 1471, while still a young man he was created elected to a position as Cardinal and this . This position allowed him Juliuis to gain even more not only acquire power and he became , but it also very allowed him to become quite wealthy.<ref> Shaw, Christine. <i>Julius II: The Warrior Pope</i>. (Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1993), p. 127</ref>. When his uncle died , he helped to arrange for an ally to become be elected Pope. Julius was aid to be one of the new Pope positioned him to most powerful Cardinals Cardinal in Rome, but he still failed to become Pope after the death of Innocent IV.  His hated enemy Rodrigo Borgia became Pope Alexander IV and Julius left Rome and spent time in Northern Italy<ref> Shaw, p. 133</ref>. He only returned to Rome after the death of Alexander IV. He eventually became Pope in 1503. Italy at the time was in turmoil and had just entered a new and bloody phase in its history. Venice was becoming increasingly powerful and was threatening the balance of power in Italy. In 1494 the French invaded Italy and occupied the Kingdom of Naples. This invasion was to start a period of war between France and the Holy Roman Empire for control of Italy. Julius was faced with an unprecedented situation and one that was fraught with threats for Julius II and the Papacy. Like every other Pope, Julius II was determined to maintain his independence and his control of the Papal States. In order to preserve the status of the Papacy in Italy, he was obliged to enter into alliances and wars.