# Pope Innocent IX

_Pope of the Catholic Church in 1591 (1519–1591)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/pope-innocent-ix
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Pope Innocent IX (Latin: Innocentius IX; Italian: Innocenzo IX; 20 July 1519 – 30 December 1591), born Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 October to 30 December 1591.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 20 July 1519 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167959#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Bologna ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167959#P19))
- **Died:** 30 December 1591 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167959#P570))
- **Place of death:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167959#P20))
- **Occupation:** diplomat; Catholic priest; Catholic bishop ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167959#P106))
- **Education:** University of Bologna ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167959#P69))
- **Positions held:** Pope (29 October 1591 – 30 December 1591); Roman Catholic Bishop of Lamezia Terme (26 January 1560 – 23 September 1575); archbishop; ambassador; Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167959#P39))

## About

Prior to his short papacy, he had been a canon lawyer, diplomat, and chief administrator during the reign of Pope Gregory XIV (r. 1590–1591).

He entered the service of the influential Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. As papal legate to Venice, he helped negotiate the formation of the Holy League, an alliance of Spanish and Italian maritime powers to challenge the Ottoman Empire’s control of the eastern Mediterranean, and which resulted in victory at the Battle of Lepanto.

## Questions

**When was Pope Innocent IX born?**  
Pope Innocent IX was born on 20 July 1519 in Bologna.

**What positions has Pope Innocent IX held?**  
Positions held by Pope Innocent IX include: Pope (1591–1591); Roman Catholic Bishop of Lamezia Terme (1560–1575); archbishop; ambassador; Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

**Where did Pope Innocent IX study?**  
Pope Innocent IX was educated at University of Bologna.

## Related

- [Pope Telesphorus](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-telesphorus)
- [Pope Gregory XIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xiii)
- [Pope Clement VII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-clement-vii)
- [Pope Pius I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-pius-i)
- [Pope Boniface I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-boniface-i)
- [Pope Agapetus I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-agapetus-i)
- [Pope Clement VI](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-clement-vi)
- [Pope Gregory XV](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xv)
- [Pope Paul III](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-paul-iii)
- [Pope Clement XII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-clement-xii)
- [Pope Pius IX](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-pius-ix)
- [Pope Leo XIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-leo-xiii)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Pope Innocent IX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Innocent_IX) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q167959](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167959) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Portrait of Pope Innocent IX (Fidenza Cathedral Museum - Museo del Duomo di Fidenza, Fidenza) – edited.jpg by anonymous / After Hieronymus Wierix (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Pope_Innocent_IX_(Fidenza_Cathedral_Museum_-_Museo_del_Duomo_di_Fidenza,_Fidenza)_%E2%80%93_edited.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Pope Innocent IX, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Portrait of Pope Innocent IX (Fidenza Cathedral Museum - Museo del Duomo di Fidenza, Fidenza) – edited.jpg — anonymous / After Hieronymus Wierix, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Pope Innocent IX". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-innocent-ix. Retrieved 5 November 2026.