GREGORY IX (UGOLINO, COUNT OF SEG NI), Pope (1227-1241): b. Anagni, about 1145; d. Rome, 22 Aug. 1241. He was educated at Paris and Bologna and in 1298 was created car dinal-deacon of Sant' Eustachio. In 1207 he was sent as papal legate to Germany and ac complished a similar mission two years later. During the pontificate of Honorius III Ugolino was despached on several diplomatic missions to northern Italy and in 1221 was commissioned to preach a crusade. On 19 March 1227 Cardi nal Ugolino was elected to the Papacy and as sumed the name of Gregory IX. The principal events of his pontificate were the various inci dents of his contest with the great emperor Frederick II, whom he four times excommuni cated, absolving his subjects from their alle giance, and proclaiming a crusade against him. Gregory was worsted in this conflict and from 1228 to 1230 was a fugitive at Perugia. Peace with Frederick was concluded 1-3 Sept. 1230. It
was not a lasting peace, however; in 1237, an gered by the actions of Frederick, Gregory formed an alliance with the Tuscans, Umbrians and Lombards and a gigantic struggle between the empire and papacy was soon being waged. Gregory IX was a great friend of the mendi cant orders. He canonized Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the glories of the Church. Greg ory also aspired to heal the breach with the Eastern Church and initiated negotiations to bring about that object. The obstinacy of the Greeks rendered his efforts futile. Perhaps his greatest achievement was the collection of the papal decretals, completed in 1234. Consult 'The Catholic Encyclopedia' (New York 1914) ; 'Vita Gregorii IX' (in Muratori, 'Rerum corum Scriptores,' Milan 1728) ; Balan, 'Storm di Gregorio IX e dei suvi tempi' (3 vols., Mo dena 1872-73).