Template:POTD/2013-06-30
Pope Nicholas V (1397–1455) was the head of the Catholic Church from 6 March 1447 until his death. Born Tommaso Parentucelli at Sarzana, Italy, he served as a diplomat, Bishop of Bologna, and cardinal before being elected pope in 1447. He took the name "Nicholas" in honour of his early benefactor, Niccolò Albergati, and is the last pope to have taken the name. During Nicholas' reign, in which he encouraged humanists, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks. This portrait by Rubens was painted in 1610–12.Painting: Peter Paul Rubens