Born
c. 1145
Birthplace
Anagni
Pope from
19 March 1227
Pope until
22 August 1241
Died
22 August 1241
Who he was
Ugolino, Count of Segni and a nephew of Innocent III, studied at Paris and Bologna and was Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia for twenty years, serving as legate and peacemaker in Germany and Italy. A close friend of St Francis and St Dominic, he became protector of the Franciscans in 1220. He was elected in March 1227, already very old.
What he is remembered for
He excommunicated Frederick II twice and was in conflict with him for most of his reign; the emperor's army was camped near Rome when Gregory died. He canonised St Francis, St Anthony of Padua, St Dominic and St Elizabeth of Hungary, had St Raymond of Peñafort compile the Decretals (1234), a lasting collection of Church law, and appointed Dominicans as inquisitors against heresy.
Sources
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