Dr. Rocky Ruggiero

In 1507, Pope Julius II began growing a beard as a sign of mourning when French troops occupied the papal city of Bologna. Later, Pope Clement VII grew a beard to mourn the sack of Rome in 1527. His successor, Pope Paul III, just thought it looked good. And for the next two centuries, every pope without exception was bearded. Join Dr. Rocky as he explores the papal tradition of beards in the Renaissance, which were not only influenced by ancient Roman traditions, but also outward signs of their contemporary socio-political circumstances.