Pope Gregory XIV

Gregory XIV pope (1590-1591), born Niccolo Sfondrato, a native of Cremona? on February 11th 1535, succeeded Urban VII, 5th December 1590. As a monk he had been eminent for the decency and sobriety of his life; but his brief pontificate was marked by no important occurrence, except that, instigated by the king of Spain and the duke of Mayenne, he excommunicated [Henry IV of France]?, declaring him, as a heretic and persecutor, to be deprivedof his dominions, and also levied an army for the invasion of France. The history of that county records how this proceeding was regarded alike by clergy, parliament and people. The biographers mention as a curious personal trait of Gregory XIV a nervous tendency to laughter which occasionally became irresistable, and which manifested itself even at his coronation. He was succeeded by Inncoent IX.

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from the 9th edition (1880) of an unnamed encyclopedia.

preceded by Pope Urban VII (1590)

succeeded by Pope Innocent IX (1591)