Pius XI.

Biography

Pope Pius XI, born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was the head of the Catholic Church from 1922 until his death in 1939. He was the first sovereign of Vatican City, established in 1929, and issued several notable encyclicals, including Quadragesimo anno, Quas primas, and Casti connubii, which shaped the Church's stance on social justice and morality. Pius XI also negotiated a record number of concordats with nations, including Nazi Germany.