Pope Eugenius IV

Pope Eugenius IV, born as Eugenio di Sansovino in 1385, was the leader of the Catholic Church from 1431 to 1447. He worked to strengthen church authority, promote church unity, and address political conflicts of his time. Notably, he ended the Western Schism, a period when multiple popes claimed authority, by supporting the election of a single pope. Eugenius IV also dealt with issues related to the Councils of Florence, aiming to reconcile with Eastern Orthodoxy. His papacy was marked by efforts to balance religious reform with political realities, shaping the church's direction during a complex medieval era.