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Why did Leo X appoint 31 new cardinals in 1517?
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Leo X
Pope Leo X, contemporary medallion; in the coin collection of the Vatican Library.
On July 1, 1517, Pope Leo X appointed 31 new cardinals primarily to secure the support of the College of Cardinals following an attempt on his life earlier that year.1
Several cardinals had been implicated in the assassination plot; as a result, one cardinal, Alfonso Petrucci, was executed in prison, while others were imprisoned or executed for their involvement. By naming a large number of new cardinals, Leo X sought to consolidate his authority and ensure the loyalty of the body responsible for advising the pope and electing his successor.12