Born Alessandro Ottaviano de Medici in 1535, he served as pope from April 1-27, 1605; his pontificate is one of the briefest in history, having lasted under a month. Incredibly rare ALS in Italian, signed “Il Card. di Firenz,” one page, 8 x 11, March 10, 1596. Untranslated handwritten letter to Pope Clement VIII, addressed to "Beat'mo Padre," written by the future Pope Leo XI as Cardinal of Florence. In very good to fine condition, with partial separation along the hinge and some tiny losses to the signature area. An extraordinary piece of papal correspondence.