Innocent IX
pope
Also known as: Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti
Innocent IX (born July 20, 1519, Bologna, Papal States—died Dec. 30, 1591, Rome) was the pope from Oct. 29 to Dec. 30, 1591.
Quick Facts
- Original name:
- Giovanni Antonio Fachinetti
- Born:
- July 20, 1519, Bologna, Papal States
- Died:
- Dec. 30, 1591, Rome (aged 72)
- Title / Office:
- pope (1591-1591)
As bishop of Nicastro, Kingdom of Naples, he participated in the Council of Trent in 1562. In 1566 he was a papal ambassador at Venice. He was later employed in the Roman Inquisition (to combat Protestantism) by Pope Gregory XIII, who appointed him patriarch of Jerusalem (1576) and later made him a cardinal (1583). He assumed practically all administration under the ailing pope Gregory XIV, whom he was chosen to succeed as pope as a short-term replacement acceptable to all. In fact, he died two months later.