Is niccolo Machiavelli a secularist

Niccolò Machiavelli is often associated with secularism due to his political writings that emphasized the pragmatic use of power and authority, rather than relying on religious or moral principles. However, it is debated among scholars whether Machiavelli himself was a true secularist as his views on religion were nuanced and not purely secular. He did emphasize the need for effective governance and political strategy over religious considerations in his works.