He died as French ambassador in Rome, and is remembered for commissioning Michelangelo in 1498 to sculpt his Pietà for St. Peter's Basilica.

Jean Bilhères de Lagraulas was born in Gascony in 1435 or 1439, the son of a noble family.

[1] Jean Bilhères de Lagraulas entered the Order of Saint Benedict at a young age.

[1] Louis XI sent Abbot Bilhères to the region, and he successfully convinced the Quatre-Vallées to repudiate John II.

[1] In gratitude for his service, Louis XI of France had him elected Bishop of Lombez on 5 July 1473.

[1] After the death of Louis XI, the regent, Anne of France, appointed Bilhères to the Council of State.

[1] He accompanied King Charles VIII in his entrance in Rome on 31 December 1494 at the start of the Italian War of 1494–1498.