 During a visit to Rome, he met Federico Borromeo and Filippo Neri and decided to enter the church.He was named commendatory abbot of Preuilly, of Montréal, and of Aubrac (1597-1600) and created cardinal priest in the consistory of 3 March 1599 by Pope Clement VIII.With the aid of a dispensation for being under the required age, he was elected archbishop of Bordeaux and primate of Aquitaineon 5 July 1599.