Pope Clement XIV, born Giovanni Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli in 1705, served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1769 until his death in 1774. He is best known for his decision to suppress the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, which was a powerful religious order at the time. This action was influenced by political pressures from various European monarchs who viewed the Jesuits as a threat to their authority. Clement XIV's papacy was marked by efforts to promote peace and reform within the Church. He sought to improve relations with secular governments and worked to address issues of corruption and financial mismanagement within the Church. His reign ended with his death in 1774, and he was succeeded by Pope Pius VI.