| Papal election October 1187 | |
|---|---|
| Dates and location | |
| 21 October 1187 Ferrara | |
| Key officials | |
| Dean | Konrad von Wittelsbach |
| Camerlengo | Master Melior |
| Protopriest | Alberto di Morra |
| Protodeacon | Giacinto Bobone Orsini |
| Elected pope | |
| Alberto di Morra Name taken: Gregory VIII | |
The October 1187 papal election (held October 21) was convoked after the death of Pope Urban III. He and the papal court had escaped from the imperial blockade of Verona only the month before, and had taken refuge in Ferrara.[1] The election, held in Ferrara the day after the pope's death, resulted in the election of Cardinal Alberto Sartori di Morra, who took the name of Gregory VIII. He was a partisan of the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, whose election delighted him. Gregory VIII reigned only two months.