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Why did Armand-Jean du Plessis enter the church instead of pursuing a military career?

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Full-length portrait of Cardinal Richelieu by Philippe de Champaigne, showing him in red clerical robes holding a red book, standing beside a balustrade with a draped curtain behind. — Cardinal Richelieu As both statesman and churchman, Cardinal Richelieu was the acknowledged architect of France's greatness in the 17th century. In 1640, when this full-length portrait was painted (likely by Philippe de Champaigne), he was embroiled in a dispute with the pope and other religious controversies along with many other consequences of expanding French power across Europe. He would die two years later, facing conspiracies against his life and suffering ill health.

Armand-Jean du Plessis entered the church primarily to preserve his family's financial interests rather than by personal choice or religious calling.

Following the death of his father, the family's estates were left in ruin due to mismanagement and inflation during the Wars of Religion. The family's most significant remaining resource was the benefice of the bishopric of Luçon, which had been granted to them by Henry III. Because the cathedral chapter threatened to revoke this grant, it became urgent for a member of the family to be consecrated as bishop to secure the position.

The family's other sons were unavailable for this role: the eldest, Henri, was the heir to the family seigneury, and the second son, Alphonse, had already become a Carthusian monk. Consequently, the obligation fell upon Armand-Jean, who was a student at the time.1