Roman Catholic Pope. Born one of eighteen children into noble family in decline, he was educated at universities in Siena and Florence. In 1431 he became secretary to Cardinal Domenico Capranica and joined him at the Council of Basel. On behalf of the council he took on several diplomatic missions for them and when he returned in 1436 he was made an official of the council. In 1439 he was made secretary to the antipope Felix V. Pope Nicholas V made him bishop of Trieste in 1447. During this time he was proving himself as a successful mediator between the German states and the Holy See. His negotiating skills were rewarded by his election to cardinal-priest of Santa Sabina by Pope Calixtus III in 1452. After Calixtus died Enea was elected Pope Pius II on August 19, 1458. His major goal as pope was to create a grand crusade to drive the Turks out of Constantinople. Lack of support for his cause would be evident in the years to come. Over time he received some promises, but very little support, for his crusade. In 1463 he again sought to rally allies to his side by leading a new crusade. Sick with fever he went to Ancona, on the Adriatic sea, expecting to rally his armies, but found no armies waiting him, and little support. He died in the sea port town shortly after.

Roman Catholic Pope. Born one of eighteen children into noble family in decline, he was educated at universities in Siena and Florence. In 1431 he became secretary to Cardinal Domenico Capranica and joined him at the Council of Basel. On behalf of the council he took on several diplomatic missions for them and when he returned in 1436 he was made an official of the council. In 1439 he was made secretary to the antipope Felix V. Pope Nicholas V made him bishop of Trieste in 1447. During this time he was proving himself as a successful mediator between the German states and the Holy See. His negotiating skills were rewarded by his election to cardinal-priest of Santa Sabina by Pope Calixtus III in 1452. After Calixtus died Enea was elected Pope Pius II on August 19, 1458. His major goal as pope was to create a grand crusade to drive the Turks out of Constantinople. Lack of support for his cause would be evident in the years to come. Over time he received some promises, but very little support, for his crusade. In 1463 he again sought to rally allies to his side by leading a new crusade. Sick with fever he went to Ancona, on the Adriatic sea, expecting to rally his armies, but found no armies waiting him, and little support. He died in the sea port town shortly after.

Bio by: Sean McKim