Pope Innocent XIII was a pontiff of the Catholic Church who served from 1721 to 1724. He was born as Michelangelo dei Conti on May 13, 1655 in Rome, Italy. He was the son of Girolamo dei Conti and Caterina Savelli. He was educated at the Collegio Romano and the University of Rome. He was ordained a priest in 1678 and was appointed Bishop of Osimo in 1681. He was later appointed Archbishop of Bologna in 1699 and was created a cardinal in 1706.
Innocent XIII was elected pope on May 8, 1721. He was the last pope to be elected by the College of Cardinals before the papal conclave was established. He was the first pope to be elected by a majority of the cardinals. He was also the first pope to be elected by a majority of the cardinals who were not Italian.
Innocent XIII was a reformer who sought to restore the power of the papacy. He sought to strengthen the authority of the papacy by reforming the administration of the Church. He sought to reduce the power of the cardinals and to increase the power of the papal curia. He also sought to reform the finances of the Church and to reduce the influence of the secular powers.
Innocent XIII was a strong supporter of the Jesuits and sought to strengthen their influence in the Church. He also sought to promote the spread of the Catholic faith in the New World. He was a strong supporter of the Inquisition and sought to strengthen its power.
Innocent XIII was a patron of the arts and sciences. He was a great admirer of the works of Michelangelo and Raphael and sought to promote their works. He also sought to promote the works of other artists such as Bernini and Caravaggio. He was also a great patron of music and sought to promote the works of composers such as Handel and Vivaldi.
Innocent XIII was a strong supporter of the Counter-Reformation and sought to strengthen the Church's position against Protestantism. He was a strong opponent of the Enlightenment and sought to limit its influence in the Church. He was also a strong opponent of the Jansenists and sought to limit their influence in the Church.
Innocent XIII died on March 7, 1724. He was succeeded by Pope Benedict XIII. During his pontificate, Innocent XIII sought to restore the power of the papacy and to promote the spread of the Catholic faith. He was a strong supporter of the arts and sciences and a strong opponent of the Enlightenment and the Jansenists. His pontificate was marked by reform and a strong commitment to the Counter-Reformation.