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Pope Sixtus V (13 December 1521 – 27 August 1590), born Felice Piergentile, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 24 April 1585 to his death in August 1590. As a youth, he joined the Franciscan order, where he displayed talents as a scholar and preacher, and enjoyed the patronage of Pius V, who made him a cardinal. As a cardinal, he was known as Cardinal Montalto. 
As Pope, he energetically rooted out corruption and lawlessness across Rome, and launched a far-sighted rebuilding program that continues to provoke controversy, as it involved the destruction of antiquities. The cost of these works was met by heavy taxation that caused much suffering. His foreign policy was regarded as over-ambitious, and he excommunicated both Queen Elizabeth I of England and King Henry IV of France. He is recognized as a significant figure of the Counter-Reformation. 			 			 			 			 			 			 			 			 			 			 Two stamps commemorating the birth of Pope Sixtus V were issued by the Vatican Post Office. The €2,00 value illustrates his coat of arms in stone located above the balcony overlooking the portal of the façade of the Lateran Palace. The €2,50 value featuring a portrait dating to 1590, attributed to the painter Pietro Facchette, can be found in the Vatican Museum.

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