Gregory
ST.
GREGORY XIII., BUONCOMPAGNI, a native of Bologna, and succeeded Pope Pius V. in 1572. He was deeply versed in the canon and civil law, and had distinguished himself at the Council of Trent. He ornamented Rome with many fine buildings and fountains; but his pontificate is chiefly memorable for the reformation of the calendar which took place under his auspices and bore his name (see GREGORIAN CALENDAR). Died in 1585.
GREGORY XIV., NICHOLAS SFONDRATO, succeeded Urban VII., in 1550. He was the son of a senator of Milan, and involved himself in an unsuccessful war against Henry IV. of France. Died in 1591.
GREGORY XV., ALESSANDRO LUDOVICO, was a native of Bologna, and descended from an ancient family. He succeeded Paul V. in 1621, and was the founder of the College of the Propaganda. It was this Pope who, in 1622, canonized Ignatius Loyola, Francis Xavier, and Philip de Neri. He was author of several works, one of which is entitled "Letter to the King of the Persians," etc. (1627).
He died in 1623.
GREGORY XVI., MAURO CAPPELLARI, born in Belluno in 1765, and succeeded Pius VIII., 1831. His pontificate was a period of no ordinary interest and difficulty in the history of the Church, and in the relations of the Vatican with the temporal powers of Christendom. Simple in his habits, though narrow in his ideas and timid in his manners, he nevertheless displayed great energy in conducting the affairs of the Church. He died in 1846 and was succeeded by Pius IX.