Pope Gregory (XIII)

Pope Gregory XIII (Ugo Boncompagni; 1502–1585) was Bishop of Rome from 1572 to 1585. Born in Bologna, he studied law and became a canon lawyer before entering the priesthood. His pontificate is best known for the Gregorian calendar reform, promulgated in 1582 to correct the drift of the Julian calendar and improve the dating of Easter. Gregory supported Catholic renewal in the wake of the Council of Trent and encouraged missionary activity. He also promoted education, including the founding of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Gregory XIII died in Rome in 1585.