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Pope Gregory XIV

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Religious Figure

The Resume

    (February 11, 1535-October 16, 1591)
    Born in Somma Lombardo, Duchy of Milan, Italy
    Birth name was Niccolo Sfondrati
    Bishop of Cremona (1560-90)
    Cardinal of Santa Cecilia in Trastavere (1583-90)
    Pope of the Roman Catholic Church (December 5, 1590-October 16, 1591)

Why he might be annoying:

    After a two-month deadlock, he was elected pope as a compromise candidate.
    Upon being elected, he burst into tears and said to the cardinals, 'God forgive you! What have you done?'
    He made one of his nephews a cardinal and appointed another to head a papal army fighting against King Henri IV of France.

Why he might not be annoying:

    Although he came from a wealthy family, he was known for his modest lifestyle and piety.
    He issued a papal bull banning gambling on the election of the pope under pain of excommunication.
    He ordered that natives enslaved in the Philippines be set free and that they be paid reparations.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 105 Votes: 47.62% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 23 Votes: 30.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 10 Votes: 30.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 124 Votes: 51.61% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 104 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying