Clement VII was a pope who served from 1523 to 1534. Born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici, he was a member of the powerful Medici family in Florence. His papacy was marked by political turmoil, including the Sack of Rome in 1527, which significantly impacted the Catholic Church's authority in Italy. During his time as pope, Clement VII faced challenges such as the Protestant Reformation, led by figures like Martin Luther. He struggled to maintain the unity of the Catholic Church while also dealing with the ambitions of European monarchs, including Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor.