In this episode, we pick up the story of the Medici family as they return to Florence, armed with the great news of Giovanni de' Medicibecoming Pope Leo X. We dive into:

• How the Medici family subtly regained power in Florencewithout taking formal positions, carefully balancing loyalty and governance.
• The undoing of Savonarola's reforms and the reinstatement of Machiavelli.
• Florence’s evolving political culture: from fierce Republican ideals to the tentative acceptance of centralized rule.
• The clumsy anti-Medici plot by two young Florentines, Bosconi and Caponi, and its swift failure.
• Pope Leo X’s (formerly Giovanni de' Medici) plunge into the complex international diplomacy of the early 1500s and the continuation of the Italian Wars.
• The battles of Novara (1513) and Marignano (1515), marking a significant shift in power as France reclaimed Milan under Francis I.
• Venice’s strategic gains and the Treaty of Noyon, closing one chapter of existential threat for the Republic.
• The papacy’s pragmatic maneuvering under Pope Leo X despite being on the losing side of the Milan conflict.
• Leo's "pet project": securing the Duchy of Urbino for his nephew Lorenzo de' Medici, amidst local resistance and messy warfare.
• The rise of Catherine de' Medici, a future powerhouse figure in European history, born from a strategic marriage alliance.
• Florence’s further ambitions in Tuscany, including their growing influence over Siena.
• The birth of young Charles V, and the looming prospect of imperial dominance over Italy once again.
• Closing reflections: was peace finally within reach for Italy? Or was a bigger storm, like the Protestant Reformation, quietly brewing?

Among the many casualties of the battle of Garigliano was Piero de Medici, son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Piero, previously exiled from Florence for his poor leadership during the invasion of Charles VIII in 1494, drowned while trying to escape the battle. His body was found and buried at Montecassino Abbey, under the protection of his brother, Cardinal Giovanni de Medici.

Florence in Transition

After the fall of Girolamo Savonarola, Florence entered a period of unstable governance:

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• Two major factions emerged: the Ottimati (traditional elite) and the Popolari (new rich).
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• Despite nominal control by the Popolari, the Ottimati successfully blocked key reforms, such as the introduction of a property tax.
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• Financially weakened by war, Florence made a bold move in 1502 by electing Piero Soderini as Gonfaloniere for life.
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• Soderini, though from an elite family, implemented popular reforms, including capping wedding dowries and improving access to credit.
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Rise of Cardinal Giovanni

The Medici fortunes began to shift with Cardinal Giovanni de Medici:

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• Tonsured at the age of 8, and made a cardinal at 13 through the diplomatic work of Lorenzo the Magnificent.
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• Giovanni loved classical literature, music, and was known for his love of food.
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• After a brief exile, he returned to Rome, took residence at Palazzo Madama, and regained political influence under Pope Julius II (Giuliano della Rovere).
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The Return to Florence

Following the War of the League of Cambrai, opportunity struck:

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• In 1512, Giovanni leveraged papal and Spanish military support to pressure Florence.
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• After the brutal Sack of Prato, panic erupted in Florence, and cries of "The Balls!" (a reference to the Medici emblem) filled the air.
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• On September 1st, 1512, after 18 years of exile, the Medici triumphantly returned.
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Key figures included:

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• Cardinal Giovanni (future Pope Leo X)
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• Giuliano de Medici
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• Giulio de Medici (future Pope Clement VII)
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• Lorenzo de Medici (grandson of Lorenzo the Magnificent)
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Pope Leo X

In 1513, Cardinal Giovanni became Pope Leo X at the age of 37:

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• Florentines celebrated wildly, with fireworks, bonfires, and public feasting.
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• Lorenzo was positioned to govern Florence under Medici influence, assisted by Cardinal Giulio.
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• Giuliano de...

After the release of the series "Secret Kingdom - God's banker" we talk with the podcast creator Nicolò Majnoni about the Roberto Calvi affair and talk about Italy in the early 80's, the Vatican, the Cold War, Freemasons and the Mafia