Benedict of Nursia (c. 480 – 547), often known as Saint Benedict, was an Italian monk who founded the Order of Saint Benedict. He is honoured by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican and Old Catholic churches, and in 1964 Pope Paul VI named him a patron saint of Europe. His main achievement was the Rule of Saint Benedict, a set of guidelines for monastic life that stressed balance, moderation and reasonableness. The rule was adopted by many religious communities across the Middle Ages and became one of the most influential in Western Christianity.