Pope Gregory XIII
The pope who gave us the calendar
Pope Gregory XIII (born Ugo Boncompagni; 7 January 1502 – 10 April 1585) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 13 May 1572 to his death in April 1585. He is best known for commissioning and being the namesake for the Gregorian calendar.
- born
- 7 January 1502, Bologna
- died
- 10 April 1585
- field
- Catholic Church, Papal States
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- Gregorian calendar, reform of the Catholic Church, patronage of Jesuit colleges
Quick Facts
- Honorific Prefix
- Pope
- Title
- Bishop of Rome
- Birth Name
- Ugo Boncompagni
- Church
- Catholic Church
- Term Start
- 13 May 1572
- Term End
- 10 April 1585
- Predecessor
- Pius V
- Successor
- Sixtus V
- Ordination
- 31 July 1558
- Ordained By
- Girolamo Maccabei
- Consecration
- 6 August 1558
- Cardinal
- 12 March 1565
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ugo Boncompagni was born in Bologna, studied law, and graduated in 1530. He taught jurisprudence; his students included Cardinal Alexander Farnese. He had an illegitimate son, Giacomo, before taking holy orders. He was summoned to Rome by Pope Paul III, held various offices, and was made cardinal by Pope Pius IV. He served as legate to Philip II of Spain. Elected pope in a brief conclave, he took the name Gregory XIII. He implemented reforms of the Council of Trent, patronized Jesuit colleges, founded seminaries, and commissioned the Gregorian calendar via the bull Inter gravissimas. He supported plans against Elizabeth I of England and sent expeditions to Ireland.
Reader's Guide
Gregory XIII is remembered for the Gregorian calendar, which replaced the Julian calendar in 1582. He reformed the Church per the Council of Trent, but the source does not say he abolished the Cardinals Consistory or mandated residence for cardinals. He supported Jesuit education and founded the German College. His foreign policy focused on countering Protestantism and aiding Irish Catholics.
Did You Know?
- Gregory XIII had an illegitimate son named Giacomo, but later popes such as Alexander VI and Clement VII also had children.
- The Gregorian calendar was initially authored by Aloysius Lilius and finalized by Christopher Clavius.
- The papal bull Inter gravissimas decreed that 4 October 1582 would be followed by 15 October 1582.
- Gregory XIII gave official status to the Congregation of the Oratory in 1575.
More in European Prime Ministers And Statesmen 1-24
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