November 1: The Pope Julius II was elected in 1503.

Pope Julius II, by Raphael. National Gallery, London.

Giulliano della Rovere was elected Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church on November 1st, 1503. He adopted the name of Julius II and was nicknamed "The warrior Pope ", also called "The Dread Pope" because he was short-tempered. He often he argued with Michelangelo over his delays in his fresh paint jobs assigned at the Vatican.

Michelangelo Buonarroti

The papacy of Julius II was characterized by his active foreign policy, the ambitious construction projects and his unqualified support for the arts. The Pope ordered the destruction of the ancient basilica and ordered the construction of the new St. Peter's Basilica. He also hired Michelangelo to decorate the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

The Sistine Chapel ceiling paintings by Michelangelo were commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508.

Despite the political and military achievements of Julius II, the main title of honor is found in his patronage of art and literature. In 1506 he laid the first stone of the new St. Peter's Basilica.

The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo

The Pope was a friend, admirer and patron of Bramante, Michelangelo and Raphael artists. So he empowered them to beautify the Vatican and much of the city of Rome.