Pope Gregory XI

Pope Gregory XI
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Name	Pope Gregory XI
Birth name	Pierre Roger de Beaufort
Birth date	1329
Birth place	Maumont, Rosiers-d'Égletons, Corrèze, France
Death date	March 27, 1378
Death place	Rome, Papal States
Previous	Pope Gregory X
Next	Pope Urban VI

Pope Gregory XI was the head of the Catholic Church from 1370 to 1378, playing a significant role in the Western Schism. He was born as Pierre Roger de Beaufort in Maumont, Rosiers-d'Égletons, Corrèze, France, and was a nephew of Pope Clement VI. His papacy was marked by significant events, including the Black Death, the rise of Florence, and conflicts with the Holy Roman Empire. He was also influenced by notable figures such as Charles V of France, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, and Bernard du Pouget.

Early Life

Pierre Roger de Beaufort was born in 1329 in Maumont, Rosiers-d'Égletons, Corrèze, France, to a family of nobility, and was a nephew of Pope Clement VI and cousin of Pope Urban V. He studied at the University of Toulouse and later at the University of Perugia, where he earned a degree in Canon Law. He was appointed as the Archbishop of Rouen by his uncle, Pope Clement VI, and later became the Archbishop of Sens. He was also influenced by notable figures such as Guillaume de Grimoard, Andouin Aubert, and Étienne Aubert.

Papacy

He was elected as the Pope in 1370, succeeding Pope Urban V, and took the name Pope Gregory XI. His papacy was marked by significant events, including the War of the Eight Saints between the Papal States and Florence, and conflicts with the Milan and the Visconti family. He also had to deal with the rise of the Ottoman Empire and the Fall of Gallipoli. He was influenced by notable figures such as Charles V of France, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, and Robert of Geneva.

Return to Rome

In 1376, Pope Gregory XI decided to return the Papal States to Rome, ending the Babylonian Captivity of the Catholic Church. This decision was influenced by Catherine of Siena, Bridget of Sweden, and Peter of Aragon. He also had to deal with the opposition of the French monarchy and the University of Paris. The return to Rome was seen as a significant event, marking the end of the Avignon Papacy and the beginning of a new era for the Catholic Church.

Death and Legacy

Pope Gregory XI died on March 27, 1378, in Rome, Papal States, and was succeeded by Pope Urban VI. His death marked the beginning of the Western Schism, a period of division within the Catholic Church that lasted for nearly 40 years. He was buried in the Santa Maria Nova church in Rome, and his legacy was influenced by notable figures such as Pope Boniface IX, Pope Innocent VII, and Pope Gregory XII. His papacy was also marked by significant events, including the Council of Florence and the rise of the Medici family in Florence.

Policy and Conflicts

During his papacy, Pope Gregory XI had to deal with significant conflicts, including the War of the Eight Saints and the rise of the Ottoman Empire. He also had to navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries between the European monarchies, including the Kingdom of France, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Kingdom of England. He was influenced by notable figures such as Charles V of France, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, and Robert of Geneva. His policy was also shaped by the Black Death, which had a significant impact on the European population and the economy of Europe. He was also involved in the Crusades, and supported the Teutonic Order and the Hospitaller Order.