Pope Gregory XIV

Reign: 1590 – 1591
Life: 1535–1591

Early career Niccolò Sfondrati was born on 11 February 1535 at Somma Lombardo , then part of the Duchy of Milan , in the highest stratum of Milanese society. His mother, Anna of the House of Visconti , died in childbirth. He replaced his father as Commendatory abbot of the Abbey of Civate : differently from the uses of most commendatory abbots at that time, Niccolò with religious fervour took care of the buildings and reformed the religious life of the abbey. When the Cardinal Borromeo died, Niccolò Sfondrati celebrated the Requiem Mass for Borromeo on 7 November 1584.

During Pope Gregory XIV's reign, Elizabeth I of England ruled England, John III of Sweden ruled Sweden, and Murad III ruled Ottoman Empire.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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