This is also the image painted by historians – of a pope with a noble character, who avoided nepotism. His passion, as was fit for an erudite, was books, which he not only collected but also read. Collecting unique manuscripts all throughout Europe, including Greek ones, he laid the foundation for the Vatican Library. Fascinated with ancient art, he was responsible for securing the rediscovered or falling into ruin architectural and art structures. In this endeavor he was aided by a trusted friend from his youth, Leon Battista Alberti, the city archeologist and conservator, the creator of the first critical tourist guide around Rome (Descriptio urbis Romae). During his pontificate he strengthened city fortifications, rebuilt aqueducts (Aqua Virgo), arranged and paved streets, renovated churches. The pope’s favorite in the field of painting was a subtle visionary – the Dominican, Fra Angelico.

The pope treated architecture with particular esteem, valuing its role in the strengthening of the Catholic faith. He uttered the famous words, pronounced on his deathbed (1455): “A popular faith sustained only on doctrines will never be anything but feeble and vacillating. But if the authority of the Holy See were visibly displayed in majestic buildings, imperishable memorials. (…), belief would grow and strengthen from one generation to another, and all the world would accept and revere it.” This Credo seems to be a guiding light for subsequent generations of bishops of Rome, who without hesitation decorated, constructed and adorned the Eternal City for the greater glory of God.

He was the first pope, who introduced, the still alive today, tradition of the apostolic blessing, at the then Vatican Square, every Sunday and on holidays.

His eight-year long pontificate was not however, free of blemishes. Upon discovering a conspiracy, whose aim it was to murder the pope and make Rome a Republic, the conspirators, Stefano Porcari and his supporters were tried and hanged at the Castle of the Holy Angel.

Nicholas V died as a result of a long battle with gout. His sarcophagus had been moved from place to place several times in St. Peter’s Basilica (San Pietro in Vaticano), and is presently found in the Vatican Grottoes.

The construction and decorative endeavors of Nicholas V:

•     Securing the nearly ruined Constantine basilica of San Pietro in Vaticano and its planned expansion
•     Renovation of the Lateran Square and its decoration with frescoes by Fra Angelico
•     Construction of a wing of the Apostolic Palace and a private chapel on the Vatican (Cappella Niccolina) and its decoration with frescoes by Fra Angelico, representing scenes from the life of St. Lawrence and St. Stephen