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247th Roman Pontiff
Benedict XIV
BENEDICTVS Quartus Decimus
Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini
247th Successor of St Peter · 1740–1758 · Italy · b. Bologna, Papal States
1740
Elected
1758
Reign ended
18 years
Length
18th
Century
The Life
Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Reformed the education of priests and the calendar of feasts. Completed the Trevi Fountain and affirmed the teachings of Thomas Aquinas.
Founded academies of art, liturgy, religion, and science. Authorized the publication of an edition of Galileo's complete scientific works, including a mildly censored version of Galileo's Dialogue.
Portrait: Pierre Subleyras / Wikimedia Commons