Giovanni de' Medici, commonly known as "Giovanni dalle Bande Nere" or "delle Bande Nere" ("of Black Stripes") was an Italian military leader during the Renaissance who was at the head of several missions for the Church. When Pope Leone X, for whom he leaded many expeditions, passed away, Giovanni covered his white and purple striped insignia with black stripes as a sign of mourning. This episode is the origin of his nickname.