Pope Eugene IV, born Gabriele Condulmer, was the head of the Catholic Church from March 3, 1431, until his death on February 23, 1447. He was one of the key figures during the period of the Western Schism and the Council of Florence, which sought to mend the schism between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Gabriele Condulmer was born into a noble family in Venice, Italy, around 1383. He was a nephew of Pope Gregory XII, which played a role in his rise within the Church hierarchy. After studying at the University of Padua, he entered the Order of Saint Jerome and was ordained a priest. He was appointed Bishop of Siena and later served as a Cardinal before his election as Pope.
Upon his election, Eugene IV faced numerous challenges:
Eugene IV's papacy is remembered for:
Eugene IV died in Rome on February 23, 1447, and was succeeded by Pope Nicholas V. His efforts to mend the schism with the Eastern Church were largely undone by subsequent events, but his reign laid groundwork for future dialogues between the Churches.