Clement VIII (1536-1605) was elected pope in 1592, during the time of renewal and reform in the Roman Catholic Church known as the Counter Reformation. As pope, Clement typified the spiritual ideals of Catholic reform. A pious man, he fasted rigorously, practiced extensive devotions, and regularly visited on foot the pilgrimage churches of Rome. He issued a corrected edition of the Vulgate, a Greek translation of the Bible. He also revised the church’s main liturgical books—that is, books dealing with acts of worship. In 1595, Clement recognized Henry of Navarre, a convert from Protestantism, as King Henry IV of France.
Clement was born on Feb. 24, 1536, in Fano, Italy. His given and family name was Ippolito Aldobrandini. He studied law and held positions on several key papal commissions. He became a cardinal in 1585. He died on March 5, 1605.
See also Vulgate .
