[1] His legal talents brought him to the attention of Pope Innocent VIII, who considered him a valuable advisor.

[1] After spending time attending to his pastoral duties, he was recalled to Rome in 1498 and placed in charge of the daily operations of the Roman Rota.

[1] In early 1503, Cesare Borgia elevated Ciocchi del Monte to the post of governor of Romagna.

[1] Pope Julius II made Ciocchi del Monte governor of Cesena, and, on 26 July 1504, named him an auditor of the Apostolic Camera.

[1] In the consistory of 23 July 1523 Cardinal Ciocchi del Monte opposed the creation of a defensive league with Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, fearing it would strain relations with Francis I of France.

[1] The new pope named him cardinal protector of the Oratory of Divine Love, the predecessor of the Theatines; he filled this role until 1529.

[1] In 1526, Pope Clement VII concluded the treaty forming the League of Cognac, allying the Papal States with the Kingdom of France, the Republic of Venice, and the House of Sforza against Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.

[1] On 22 May 1526 Cardinal Ciocchi del Monte was one of the leading commissioners responsible for preparing the Papal States for the War of the League of Cognac.

[1] He was one of the small number of cardinals who remained loyal to the pope, seeking refuge with him in the Castel Sant'Angelo.

[1] From 1528, he was one of the leading cardinals responsible for dealing with Henry VIII of England's attempts to secure a divorce from Catherine of Aragon.

[1] When the pope traveled to Marseille in September 1533 to attend the marriage of Henry II, Duke of Orléans and Catherine de' Medici, he left Cardinal Ciocchi del Monte in charge of Rome as papal legate.

[1] The pope agreed to the cardinal's request to allow his nephew Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte to assist in the discharge of these duties.