# Gregory XIII

> pope of the Catholic Church from 1572 to 1585 (1502–1585)

**Wikidata**: [Q83029](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83029)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_XIII)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gregory-xiii

## Summary

Gregory XIII, born Ugo Boncompagni, was the Pope of the Catholic Church from 1572 to 1585 and is best known for instituting the Gregorian calendar reform. He was an Italian national and a central figure in the Catholic Counter-Reformation. His papacy oversaw significant educational and administrative reforms, including the establishment of the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum.

## Biography

- Born: 1502  
- Nationality: Papal States (Italy)  
- Education: Studied at the University of Bologna  
- Known for: Introducing the Gregorian calendar and leading Catholic educational reforms  
- Employer(s): Catholic Church, Papal States  
- Field(s): Religion, Education, Calendar Reform

## Contributions

Gregory XIII is most notably associated with the institution of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which corrected the Julian calendar's drift and is now the internationally accepted civil calendar. He also founded the Pontifical Gregory University in 1551 and supported the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum, a seminary for German and Hungarian clerics in Rome. These institutions were central to training clergy and promoting Catholic education across Europe.

## FAQs

### Who was Gregory XIII?

Gregory XIII, born Ugo Boncompagni, was a pope of the Catholic Church who served from 1572 to 1585. He is most recognized for his role in implementing the Gregorian calendar reform and for his contributions to Catholic education.

### What did Gregory XIII accomplish?

He introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which corrected the accumulated error in the Julian calendar and is now the most widely used civil calendar. He also supported the foundation of the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum, both of which were pivotal in Catholic education and missionary training.

### What is the Gregorian calendar?

The Gregorian calendar is a calendar reform introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It corrected the accumulated error in the Julian calendar and is now the internationally accepted civil calendar.

### What institutions are associated with Gregory XIII?

He was associated with the University of Bologna, where he studied, and the Pontifical Gregorian University, which he supported in 1551. He also played a role in the foundation of the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum in Rome.

### What is the significance of the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum?

The Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum, established in 1552, was a seminary in Rome dedicated to training German and Hungarian clergy. Gregory XIII supported its development and recognized its importance in the Catholic Church's educational mission.

### What is the Pontifical Gregorian University?

The Pontifical Gregorian University, founded in 1551, was supported by Gregory XIII as part of his broader educational reforms. It remains a key institution in training Catholic clergy and theologians.

## Why They Matter

Gregory XIII's papacy was instrumental in the Catholic Church's Counter-Reformation efforts. His most significant contribution, the Gregorian calendar, remains the globally accepted civil calendar. His leadership in founding the Pontifical Gregorian University and supporting the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum helped shape the Church's educational and missionary efforts in Europe and beyond.

## Notable For

- Introducing the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which corrected the Julian calendar's accumulated error and is now the internationally accepted civil calendar  
- Supporting the foundation of the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1551  
- Promoting the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum, a seminary for German and Hungarian clerics, established in 1552  
- Being a member of the House of Boncompagni, an Italian noble family  
- Having studied at the University of Bologna, one of the oldest universities in continuous operation  
- Being a key figure in the Catholic Counter-Reformation

## Body

### Early Life

Gregory XIII, born Ugo Boncompagni in 1502, was an Italian human and a member of the House of Boncompagni, an influential noble family with roots in the Papal States and other parts of Italy. He pursued his education at the University of Bologna, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe, with over 7000 employees as of recent records.

### Career

Gregory XIII became pope in 1572 and held the papacy until 1585. As pope, he was a central figure in the Catholic Church's Counter-Reformation, focusing on educational and administrative reforms. He was closely associated with the Catholic Church and the Papal States, where he led efforts to strengthen the Church's educational infrastructure.

### Projects

One of his most significant contributions was the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582. This calendar corrected the accumulated error in the Julian calendar and is now the internationally accepted civil calendar. He also played a key role in the foundation of the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1551 and supported the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum, a seminary for German and Hungarian clerics established in 1552. These institutions were critical in training clergy and promoting Catholic education.

### Influence

Gregory XIII's influence extended beyond calendar reform to the Church's educational system. His support for the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum and the Pontifical Gregorian University helped shape the Church's missionary and educational efforts. These institutions were key in training clergy and promoting the Catholic faith in Europe and beyond.

### Legacy

Gregory XIII's legacy includes the Gregorian calendar, which remains the most widely used civil calendar. His contributions to Catholic education through the foundation of key institutions like the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum continue to influence the Church's educational mission. His papacy is remembered for these reforms and the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, which is still in use today.

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