Roman Catholic Pope. He served as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1572 to 1585. He is most known for replacing the outmoded Julian calendar with the more accurate Gregorian calendar. He also devoted his reign to Catholic reform. He was born Ugo Boncompagni in Bologna, Italy in 1502, and studied law at the famous university at his native city. At twenty-eight he graduated as a doctor with sufficient distinction to become a professor of law in his own university. As a youth Hugo's conduct was loose. He was not virtuous and had an illegitimate son. However, in 1538 he changed his ways and was ordained. After this his life was exemplary and notably austere. He was later named a cardinal by Pope Pius IV in 1565. He was elected pope on May 13, 1572 after a conclave lasting three days. As Pope, Gregory XIII devoted his reign to Catholic reform. Giving to improving the education of Catholic clergy. Through his efforts, the church set up many seminaries for the training of parish priests. He himself founded or substantially contributed to twenty-three of the seminaries. Gregory XIII also greatly enlarged the Roman College in Rome, which later became known as the Gregorian University in his honor. These actions helped stop the Protestant advance in Germany, Poland, and what would become much of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His crowning achievement as Pope was replacing the outmoded Julian calendar in 1582. The calendar is used in almost all the world today. Gregory XIII died in Rome in 1585, and was interred in St. Peter's Basilica. At his death the papal treasury was empty. Little was achieved during his time as Pope, but he took up a more conciliatory attitude than many of his predecessors and set an important precedent.
Roman Catholic Pope. He served as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1572 to 1585. He is most known for replacing the outmoded Julian calendar with the more accurate Gregorian calendar. He also devoted his reign to Catholic reform. He was born Ugo Boncompagni in Bologna, Italy in 1502, and studied law at the famous university at his native city. At twenty-eight he graduated as a doctor with sufficient distinction to become a professor of law in his own university. As a youth Hugo's conduct was loose. He was not virtuous and had an illegitimate son. However, in 1538 he changed his ways and was ordained. After this his life was exemplary and notably austere. He was later named a cardinal by Pope Pius IV in 1565. He was elected pope on May 13, 1572 after a conclave lasting three days. As Pope, Gregory XIII devoted his reign to Catholic reform. Giving to improving the education of Catholic clergy. Through his efforts, the church set up many seminaries for the training of parish priests. He himself founded or substantially contributed to twenty-three of the seminaries. Gregory XIII also greatly enlarged the Roman College in Rome, which later became known as the Gregorian University in his honor. These actions helped stop the Protestant advance in Germany, Poland, and what would become much of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His crowning achievement as Pope was replacing the outmoded Julian calendar in 1582. The calendar is used in almost all the world today. Gregory XIII died in Rome in 1585, and was interred in St. Peter's Basilica. At his death the papal treasury was empty. Little was achieved during his time as Pope, but he took up a more conciliatory attitude than many of his predecessors and set an important precedent.
Bio by: Curtis Jackson
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