In 1507 he was elected vicar provincial of his order at Bologna, in 1514 vicar general of the Cismontane Franciscan families, and in 1517 he became minister general of the whole order of Friars Minor. Less than a month later he was raised, in spite of his protests, to the cardinalate by Pope Leo X, who in presence of the Sacred College paid a splendid tribute to Christopher's great learning and prudence and to his still greater holiness of life.
In 1507 he was elected prior provincial of his order at Bologna, in 1514 prior general of the Cismontane Franciscan families, and in 1517 he became minister general of the entire order of Friars Minor. Less than a month later he was elevated, despite his objections, to the cardinalate by Pope Leo X, who in the presence of the Sacred College paid a magnificent tribute to Christopher's exceptional knowledge and prudence and to his even greater sanctity of life.