orig. Prospero Lambertini
born March 31, 1675, Bologna, Papal States
died May 3, 1758, Rome
Pope in 1740–58.
Nobly born, he received a doctorate in theology and law. Typical of his pontificate were his promotion of scientific learning and his admonition to those drawing up the Index Librorum Prohibitorum ( Index of Forbidden Books ) to act with restraint. In the Papal States he reduced taxation, encouraged agriculture, and supported free trade. He maintained conciliatory relations with neighbouring kingdoms. A lifelong active scholar, he founded several learned societies and laid the groundwork for the present Vatican Museum. Bernard Garnier, a French cleric who was counter-antipope (1425–33) while Martin V was pope and Clement VIII was antipope, was also called Benedict XIV.