Benedetto Odescalchi was an Italian nobleman and a prominent figure in the 17th century. He is best known for his role as a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church and later became Pope under the name Pope Innocent XI. His papacy lasted from 1676 to 1689, during which he focused on reforming the church and addressing issues of corruption. Odescalchi was born on November 2, 1611, in Como, Italy. He came from a wealthy family and was educated in law and theology. His leadership was marked by efforts to strengthen the church's moral authority and combat the influence of Jansenism, a theological movement that emphasized predestination and grace.