Reigned from February 22, 1775 to August 29, 1799. Born on December 25, 1717 in Cesena, Italy as Giovanni Angelico Braschi; died in August 29, 1799 at Valence, France. Before election he was papal secretary, treasurer of the Roman Church, and cardinal. As pope he condemned Febronianism and journeyed to Austria to curb the anti-clerical legislation of Emperor Joseph II. After the American Revolution (1775 to 1781), Pius released the American clergy from the jurisdiction of the Vicar Apostolic in England. He appointed Reverend John Carroll superior of the Mission of the Thirteen United States of North America in 1784, and erected the See of Baltimore in 1789. His rejection of the Civil Constitution of the French clergy caused the French to retaliate by annexing papal territory. Under Napoleon, Rome was sacked and proclaimed a republic in 1798. Pius refused to submit, and was borne in captivity to Valence, where he died.