Pope Gregory XIV

Gregory XIV ( born February 11, 1535 Somma Lombardo, † October 16, 1591 in Rome), real name Niccolò Sfondrati, was from 1590 to 1591 Pope of the Catholic Church.

Niccolò Sfondrati studied in Perugia and Padua.

In 1560 he became Bishop of Cremona. He participated as a bishop of Cremona at the Council of Trent. On December 12, 1583 he was appointed by Pope Gregory XIII, the calendar reform. a cardinal with the title of Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, the name reminds the choice.

The Conclave elected him on December 5, 1590 after two months of discussions on the new pope. He appointed during his pontificate five new cardinals, including his nephew Paolo Camillo Sfondrati and the Cardinal Ottavio Acquaviva d' Aragona.

With his bull Cogit nos he forbade on March 21, 1591 bets referring to the election of a pope, the duration of a pontificate or the appointment of new cardinals. Offender he threatened with excommunication.