Paul II 1417–71, pope (1464–71), a Venetian named Pietro Barbo; successor of Pius II. He was a nephew of Eugene IV. A Renaissance pope, he patronized printing, beautified and improved Rome, and collected antiquities. Paul, like Pius II, was involved in struggles with the Bohemian George of Podebrad and with Louis XI of France. He was succeeded by Sixtus IV.

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2001 Columbia University Press.