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Giovanni Gaetano Orsini elected as Pope Nicolas III

Pope Nicholas III (Latin: Nicolaus III; c. 1225 – 22 August 1280), born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 November 1277 to his death on 22...

Pope Nicholas III (Latin: Nicolaus III; c. 1225 – 22 August 1280), born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 November 1277 to his death on 22 August 1280.

He was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight popes, been made Cardinal-Deacon of St. Nicola in Carcere Tulliano by Pope Innocent IV (1243–1254), protector of the Franciscans by Pope Alexander IV (1254–1261), inquisitor-general by Pope Urban IV (1261–64), and succeeded Pope John XXI (1276–1277) after a six-month vacancy in the Holy See resolved in the papal election of 1277, largely through family influence.

Historical Significance

Pope Nicholas III (Latin: Nicolaus III; c.

Events Before

  1. French Cardinal Pierre de Tarantaise elected head of the Catholic Church, takes the name of Pope Innocent V

    Pope Innocent V (Latin: Innocentius V; c. 1225 – 22 June 1276), born Pierre de Tarentaise, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 21 January to 22 June 1276.

  2. Augsburg becomes an Imperial Free City

    Augsburg becomes an Imperial Free City

  3. Magnus Ladulås is crowned King of Sweden in Uppsala Cathedral

    Magnus Ladulås is crowned King of Sweden in Uppsala Cathedral

  4. While taking exile in Fuzhou, southern China, from advancing Mongol invaders, remnants of the Song Dynasty court hold co

    While taking exile in Fuzhou, southern China, from advancing Mongol invaders, remnants of the Song Dynasty court hold coronation ceremony for young prince Zhao Shi, making him Emperor Duanzong of Song

  5. John XXI [Peter Juliani] is elected Pope, the only Portuguese Pope

    Pope John XXI (Latin: Ioannes XXI, Italian: Giovanni XXI, Portuguese: João XXI; c. 1215 – 20 May 1277), born Pedro Julião (Latin: Petrus Iulianus), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the...

Events After

  1. Jews in England are imprisoned on charges of coin clipping and counterfeiting

    Jews in England are imprisoned on charges of coin clipping and counterfeiting

  2. Battle of Marchfeld: Rudolf of Habsburg defeats Ottokar II

    Ottokar II (Czech: Přemysl Otakar II.; c. 1233, in Městec Králové, Bohemia – 26 August 1278, in Dürnkrut, Lower Austria), the Iron and Golden King, was a member of the Přemyslid dynasty who reigned...

  3. Jews are arrested in England for counterfeiting coins, and 293 are hanged

    Jews are arrested in England for counterfeiting coins, and 293 are hanged

  4. Mongolian victory at the naval Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China

    The Battle of Yamen, also known as the Battle of Yashan, was a naval battle which took place in southern China on 19 March 1279.

  5. BC Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great becomes Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt's 19th Dynasty

    BC Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great becomes Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt's 19th Dynasty

More from the 1270s

Mongolian victory at the naval Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China

The Battle of Yamen, also known as the Battle of Yashan, was a naval battle which took place in southern China on 19 March 1279.

BC Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great becomes Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt's 19th Dynasty

BC Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great becomes Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt's 19th Dynasty

Around 1,000 soldiers of the Mongol army land on the Japanese island of Tsushima in the first attack of Kublai Khan's Mo

Around 1,000 soldiers of the Mongol army land on the Japanese island of Tsushima in the first attack of Kublai Khan's Mongol invasion of Japan

Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk, founder of Nichiren Buddhism, inscribes the Dai-Gohonzon

Nichiren was a Japanese Buddhist monk and philosopher of the Kamakura period. His teachings form the basis of Nichiren Buddhism, a unique branch of Japanese Mahayana Buddhism based on the Lotus...

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 25, 1277?
Pope Nicholas III (Latin: Nicolaus III; c. 1225 – 22 August 1280), born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 November 1277 to his death on 22 August 1280. He was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight popes, been made Cardinal-Deacon of St.
Why is Giovanni Gaetano Orsini elected as Pope Nicolas III significant?
Pope Nicholas III (Latin: Nicolaus III; c.

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November 25 in HistoryYear 1277