Pope Benedict XIV, born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini (1675-1758), was an enlightened and reforming pontiff. His election in 1740 occurred after a long conclave. He was a man of great culture, theologian, jurist and historian, known for his erudition and his open mind. During his pontificate, he promoted science, the arts, and ecclesiastical reforms, seeking to modernize the Church without compromising its principles. He was a supporter of interreligious dialogue and tolerance, while maintaining firmness in Catholic doctrine. His veneration derives from his wisdom, his moral integrity, and his commitment to the common good, which made him an admired and respected figure even outside ecclesiastical circles. He is remembered for his encyclical "Vix Pervenit" on lending at interest and for his work "De Servorum Dei Beatificatione et Canonizatione", a fundamental text for the processes of canonization.