Pope Paul VI

Pope Paul VI, born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897, was the head of the Catholic Church from 1963 to 1978. Known for his progressive views, he oversaw significant reforms in the Church, including the Second Vatican Council. Paul VI was a staunch advocate for social justice, peace, and human rights, and he played a pivotal role in improving relations between the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations. His encyclical Humanae Vitae, reaffirming the Church's stance on contraception, was controversial but demonstrated his commitment to upholding traditional Catholic teachings. Paul VI was canonized as a saint in 2018.