Reversed the policy of his predecessors by allying with France instead of Spain, which had assumed a dictatorial attitude over the papacy.
Clement absolved Henry IV of France after his abjuration of Protestantism, and the two became very close.
Clement was distinguished for his piety, and he worked to instill this in the clergy and charitable institutions of Rome.
Saint Philip Neri was his confessor.
![[Pope Clement VIII]](pope0231.jpg "30kb jpg photograph of a statue of Pope Clement VIII, date unknown, sculptor unknown, photographer unknown; if you have information about this image, please email me; please do not write to ask about the image")
