Why had the Papal States lost territory before Julius II became pope?

Before Julius II became pope, the Papal States had suffered significant territorial loss and fragmentation due to several historical factors:

• The Great Schism: During this period, the authority of the papacy over its territories virtually dissolved, leading to the rise of numerous signori (local lords) who acted as "papal vicars" in regions like the Romagna, Umbria, and the Marche.3
• Borgia Influence: Under Pope Alexander VI, the revival of the Papal States was often subordinated to the personal ambitions of his son, Cesare Borgia, who sought to carve out his own principality. By the time of Alexander VI's death, these efforts had left the Papal States in a state of ruin.12
• External Appropriation: Following the death of Alexander VI, large portions of the Papal States were seized and appropriated by Venice.1
• Internal Challenges: In cities like Bologna and Perugia, powerful local families maintained control, while in Lazio, strong baronial families and lingering republican sentiment in Rome further undermined direct papal authority.3