Pope Clement VIII

Pope Clement VIII, born Ippolito Aldobrandini in 1536, was the head of the Catholic Church from 1592 to 1605. He is known for strengthening church authority, supporting the arts, and making important religious decisions, such as approving the Jesuits' role in education and reaffirming Catholic doctrines. He also played a key part in ending the conflict over Henry IV of France's conversion and reestablishing the legitimacy of the Catholic Church in France. His papacy helped shape Catholic policy during a period of religious tension following the Protestant Reformation.