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Adrian V
Mosaic portrait in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, Rome. Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Popes

Adrian V

The 186th pope · Ottobuono Fieschi before his election

Birthplace
Genoa, Italy
Pope from
11 July 1276
Pope until
18 August 1276
Died
18 August 1276

Who he was

Ottobuono Fieschi was a Genoese nobleman and a nephew of Innocent IV. As a cardinal he was sent to England, where he worked to make peace between Henry III and the rebellious barons. Elected at Viterbo in July 1276, he reigned little more than five weeks.

What he is remembered for

He suspended Gregory X's strict rules for the conclave but died before putting milder ones in their place. He is best known from Dante, who meets him in Purgatory in the Divine Comedy.

Sources

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