How did Giuliano della Rovere become Pope Julius II?

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Medallion depicting Pope Julius II — Julius II Julius II, contemporary medallion; in the coin collection of the Vatican Library.

Giuliano della Rovere, who became Pope Julius II, rose to the papacy through a combination of political maneuvering and the use of simony—the corrupt practice of buying ecclesiastical office.1

After spending a decade in exile due to his conflicts with Pope Alexander VI, Giuliano returned to Rome following the death of the Borgia pope in 1503. After the brief pontificate of Pius III, Giuliano was elected as Pope Julius II in October 1503 with the aid of simoniacal practices.1

It is important to note that despite his own use of bribery to secure the position, Julius II immediately sought to reform the process after his election. He issued a decree declaring that any future papal elections involving simony would be considered invalid and subject to severe penalties.1