Rafael Sabatini 
Strolling Saint — Being the Confessions of the High & Mighty Agostino D’Anguissola Tyrant of Mondolfo & Lord of Carmina, in the State of Piacenza. 

The Strolling Saint, first published in 1913, is a swashbuckler romance set in 16th century Italy. There is a strong underlying theme of religious hypocrisy, as the main character is forced into a career in the clergy, before having to fight the church to regain his inheritance. (Goodreads)