Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) was the most influential poet of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. Dante's embracing of human individuality and happiness in The Divine Comedy, as well as his use of Italian rather than Latin, are often seen as heralding the end of the Middle Ages and the birth of Renaissance humanism. His influence can be seen in many areas of European art and literature, particularly in Italy. Dante's work had a major effect on European culture because it showed that there were other ways to understand life and experience joy than through religion. He introduced the idea that it was possible to enjoy life and its pleasures while also seeking salvation through faith in Christ. This was something that many people began to think about after the Church failed to act against those who were responsible for killing Pope John Paul I and II. They wondered what would happen after they died so Dante provided an answer by writing three journeys in which he imagined himself traveling through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise to find out. In addition to being a great poet, Dante was also a diplomat and government official who worked with the Florentine Senate to draft new laws. He helped bring peace between Florence and Siena and served one term as Mayor of Florence. However, he became politically involved with the opposition party against the corrupt leadership in charge at the time and was eventually charged with treason against the city-state.