Pope Paul VI, born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897, served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1963 until his death in 1978. He is best known for continuing the work of the Second Vatican Council, which aimed to modernize the Church and improve relations with other faiths. His papacy focused on social justice, peace, and the promotion of human rights. During his tenure, Pope Paul VI issued several important encyclicals, including Humanae Vitae, which addressed issues of contraception and family planning. He was the first pope to travel extensively, visiting six continents and engaging with diverse cultures, which helped to enhance the global presence of the Catholic Church.