Pope Paul VI was head of the Roman Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978, presiding over the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council called by his predecessor, Pope John XXIII.

Born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini on 26 September 1897 in Italy, he was ordained in the priesthood 29 May 1920, studied Canon Law in Rome at the Gregorian University and the University of Rome, was an attached to the Apostolic Nuncia of Poland from 1923-1924, and then worked in the office of the Secretariat of State for thirty years. He was appointed the Archbishop of Milan by Pope Pius XII, and became known as a progressive. He was appointed a Cardinal by Pope John XXIII on 15 December 1958, and became involved with the Central Preparatory Commission for Vatican II. After the death of Pope John XXIII on 3 June 1963, mid-way through the Second Vatican Council, Montini was elected to the papacy and took the name Paul VI.

Pope Paul VI announced that the Council would continue, and presided over the third and fourth sessions, announcing his priorities for the rest of the Council as: better understanding of the Catholic Church, Church reforms, advancing the unity of Christianity, and dialogue with the world. During his papacy, he also established the Synod of Bishops, created the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and wrote several important encyclicals, including Mense Maio, on the veneration of Mary, and Humanae vitae, on birth control.

Pope Paul VI died 6 August 1978 of a heart attack. His cause for beatification was started by Pope John Paul II and he was pronounced Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI on 20 December 2012.