Pope Sixtus V

Pope Sixtus V, born Felice Peretti, served as the Pope from 1585 to 1590 and is known for his ambitious reforms and urban planning initiatives in Rome. He commissioned various projects, including the completion of St. Peter's Basilica and the construction of the Vatican's famous obelisks. His vision for Rome transformed the city into a more organized and monumental space, reflecting the power of the papacy during the Counter-Reformation. The Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, designed by his trusted architect Domenico Fontana, is one of the many significant structures from his papacy.