At the death of King Francis in 1547, Sanguin's position at Court was compromised, as were those of all of the favorites of the late King's mistress, the Duchess d'Étampes. He resigned his post of Almoner and retired to Italy. He arrived in Rome on 20 December 1547, his first visit to the city. In Rome he participated in the conclave of 1549-50. The two cardinals who were competing the most vigorously, Reginald Pole and Gian Pietro Carafa, cancelled each other out week after week, scrutiny after scrutiny. Finally on February 7, 1550, in the evening, Cardinal Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte was elected Pope Julius III.