Cardinal Ugolino
Ugolino dei Conti di Segni was born at Anagni, south of Rome, into the same family as Innocent III, who is variously described as his uncle or his cousin. His birth date is uncertain. Chroniclers said he was very old at his death, which led to an older date of about 1145, but many modern historians place it nearer 1170. He studied at Paris and Bologna and became an accomplished canon lawyer.
Innocent made him a cardinal in 1198 and cardinal bishop of Ostia in 1206. He served as papal legate in Germany and Lombardy and became one of the most trusted men in the Roman curia. He was a friend and patron of the new friars: in 1220, at Francis of Assisi's own request, he became protector of the Franciscan order, and he knew Dominic well. On 19 March 1227 the cardinals elected him to succeed Honorius III, and he took the name Gregory IX.
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