Pope Paul VI (Latin: Paulus PP. VI), born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini (September 26, 1897 – August 6, 1978), reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and as sovereign of Vatican City from 1963 to 1978. Succeeding John XXIII who had called the Second Vatican Council, he presided over the majority of its sessions and oversaw the implementation of its decrees.