The pope’s annual income amounted to 500,000 to 600,000 ducats. His predecessor Pope Julius II had maintained the household on a mere 48,000 ducats. In all Leo spent about four and a half million ducats during his pontificate leaving a debt of 400,000 ducats upon his death.

Leo X died unexpectedly in Rome on December 1st, 1521. Even to this day, many faithful Catholics view Pope Leo X’s papacy as a blemish on the history of the Catholic Church.