Rome, with its splendid immorality, its classic art and pagan culture, made the same impression on him that it made on Luther.

When his courtiers pointed to the Laocoon as the most illustrious monument of ancient sculpture, he turned away with horror, murmuring: 'Idols of the Pagans!' The Belvedere, which was fast becoming the first statue-gallery in Europe, he walled up and never entered.

At the same time he set himself with earnest purpose, so far as his tied hands and limited ability would go, to reform the more patent abuses of the Church.

Leo had raised about three million ducats by the sale of offices, which represented an income of 348,000 ducats to the purchasers, and provided places for 2,550 persons.

By a stroke of his pen Adrian canceled these contracts and threw upon the world a crowd of angry and defrauded officials.