Alessandro VII

Alessandro VII, born Fabio Chigi in 1599, served as Pope from 1655 until his death in 1667. He is known for his efforts to promote the arts and sciences during the Baroque period, commissioning notable artists such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini. His papacy was marked by a commitment to the counter-reformation and the consolidation of papal authority, navigating the complex political landscape of European powers of his time. Alessandro VII's legacy includes significant architectural contributions, including the redesign of St. Peter's Basilica.