Pope Innocent IX

Reign: 1591 – 1591
Life: 1519–1591

Prior to his short papacy, he had been a canon lawyer, diplomat, and chief administrator during the reign of Pope Gregory XIV (r. He entered the service of the influential Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. As papal legate to Venice, he helped negotiate the formation of the Holy League, an alliance of Spanish and Italian maritime powers to challenge the Ottoman Empire’s control of the eastern Mediterranean, and which resulted in victory at the Battle of Lepanto.

During Pope Innocent IX'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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From the library

Go deeper on Pope Innocent IX

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Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy

John Julius Norwich

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