came to Rome for the first time as Pope.[2] He knew no Italian, and talked Latin with an accent unfamiliar to southern ears.
His studies had been confined to scholastic philosophy and theology.
With courts he had no commerce; and he was so ignorant of the state a Pope should keep in Rome, that he wrote beforehand requesting that a modest house and garden might be hired for his abode.

When he saw the Vatican, he exclaimed that here the successors, not of Peter, but of Constantine should dwell.

Leo kept one hundred grooms for the service of his stable; Adrian retained but four.

Two Flemish valets sufficed for his personal attendance, and to these he gave each evening one ducat for the expenses of the next day's living.

A Flemish serving woman cooked his food, made his bed and washed his linen.