Head of the Catholic Church and papal states from 1572 until his death in 1585. He is known for his role in the Counter Reformation, founding the Gregorian calendar and Gregorian University, and his patronization of the Jesuits. His successor was Sixtus V. He was born in Bologna, Italy as Ugo Boncompagni, and studied at the University of Bologna. His predecessor Pius V, made him a cardinal and emissary to Spain in 1565.
