Who he was
Michele Ghislieri, of a poor but noble family, was taken in and educated by the Dominicans of Voghera, joined the order, and was ordained in 1528. He taught theology and philosophy for sixteen years and was known for his austere and prayerful life. Paul IV made him Bishop of Sutri, a cardinal in 1557, and inquisitor general, and he later served as Bishop of Mondovì. He was elected pope in January 1566, against his own tearful pleas, and lived as pope as he had lived as a friar.
What he is remembered for
He put the decrees of the Council of Trent into effect, working with St Charles Borromeo to reform the clergy and making bishops live in their dioceses, and in 1570 he published the revised Roman Missal. He united Venice, Spain and the Holy See in the alliance that won the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, and in thanksgiving instituted the feast of the Rosary and added Help of Christians to the Litany of Loreto. He was beatified by Clement X in 1672 and canonised by Clement XI in 1712.
He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
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