Pope Gregory VIII


Gregory VIII
Bishop of Rome
ChurchCatholic Church
Papacy began21 October 1187
Papacy ended17 December 1187
PredecessorUrban III
SuccessorClement III
Orders
Consecration25 October 1187
Created cardinal1156
by Adrian IV
Personal details
Born
Alberto di Morra

c. 1100/1105
Died(1187-12-17)17 December 1187
Pisa, Republic of Pisa
Other popes named Gregory
Gregory VIII on a 19th-century religious card

Pope Gregory VIII (Latin: Gregorius VIII; c. 1100/1105 – 17 December 1187), born Alberto di Morra, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States for two months in 1187. Becoming Pope after a long diplomatic career as Apostolic Chancellor, he was notable in his brief reign for reconciling the Papacy with the estranged Holy Roman Empire and for initiating the Third Crusade.