Born Albert de Morra, noble, well educated. Cistercian monk at a young age. Created cardinal-deacon in 1155 by Pope Adrian IV, the last cardinal to have the title of chancellor for centuries. Papal legate to England to investigate the murder of Saint Thomas a Becket. Gregory VIII he was noted for being gentle with all. Worked for the reconquest of Jerusalem, and ordered a general fast throughout Christendom as a mark of grief for its loss. Worked for reconciliation of the Church with Emperor Barbarossa. Gregory initiated the Third Crusade and died while settling a dispute between Pisa and Genoa over the shipment of goods to the Holy Land. His papacy last a mere eight weeks. Buried at the cathedral in Pisa; the cathedral burned in 1600, destroying the tomb.
Born Albert de Morra, noble, well educated. Cistercian monk at a young age. Created cardinal-deacon in 1155 by Pope Adrian IV, the last cardinal to have the title of chancellor for centuries. Papal legate to England to investigate the murder of Saint Thomas a Becket. Gregory VIII he was noted for being gentle with all. Worked for the reconquest of Jerusalem, and ordered a general fast throughout Christendom as a mark of grief for its loss. Worked for reconciliation of the Church with Emperor Barbarossa. Gregory initiated the Third Crusade and died while settling a dispute between Pisa and Genoa over the shipment of goods to the Holy Land. His papacy last a mere eight weeks. Buried at the cathedral in Pisa; the cathedral burned in 1600, destroying the tomb.
Bio by: MC
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