Pope Pius VI, born Giovanni Angelo Braschi on December 25, 1717, in Cesena, Italy, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from February 15, 1775, until his death on August 29, 1799. His pontificate was marked by significant political and religious turmoil, particularly due to the French Revolution and the subsequent rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Giovanni Angelo Braschi was educated in Cesena and later in Rome, where he studied law and theology. He entered the Papal Court under the patronage of Pope Benedict XIV and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a canon of St. Peter's Basilica, a papal prelate, and eventually a cardinal in 1773 under Pope Clement XIV.
Upon his election as Pope Pius VI in 1775, he faced numerous challenges:
Pius VI's reign was marked by a significant shift in the relationship between the Papacy and secular powers, setting the stage for future conflicts. His papacy ended in humiliation, but his resistance to the secularization of the Church during the Revolution has been viewed by some as a defense of religious freedom and Church autonomy.
After his death, Pius VI was buried in Valence, but his remains were later returned to Rome. His tomb in St. Peter's Basilica is one of the finest examples of neoclassical sculpture by Canova. Pius VI was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI in 1823, recognizing his steadfastness in the face of adversity.