Pope Clement XIV (1769–74) was an Italian born near Rimini on 1705 and named Lorenzo Ganganelli; successor of Clement XIII. He was prominent for many years in pontifical affairs at Rome, and he was created cardinal in 1759. He was a Conventual Franciscan. He inherited from his predecessor the hostility of every state of Catholic Europe. Clement XIV’s part in the suppression of the Jesuits (see Jesus, Society of) has been greatly discussed; he was probably pressured into it. The suppression removed the pope’s only independent support and put the church into the hands of the secular princes. He was succeeded by Pius VI.