Pope Paul V

Pope Paul V, born Camillo Borghese, was the pope from 1605 to 1621. He played a significant role in strengthening the authority of the Catholic Church during a time of religious and political change. He is known for supporting the arts, commissioning important works like Bernini’s Baldacchino in St. Peter’s Basilica, and for asserting papal authority in conflicts with secular rulers, such as opposing Venetian independence. His papacy faced challenges, but he helped maintain the church’s influence and contributed to its artistic and architectural legacy.