Page "Pope Innocent IX" Paragraph 2

During the reign of the sickly Gregory XIV, who suffered from bouts of malaria, the burden of the papal administration rested on his shoulders.

Even before Gregory XIV died, Spanish and anti-Spanish factions were electioneering for the next Pope.

Philip II of Spain's ( 1556 – 1598 ) high-handed interference at the previous conclave was not forgotten: he had barred all but seven cardinals.

This time the Spanish party in the College of Cardinals did not go so far, but they still controlled a majority, and after a quick conclave they raised Facchinetti to the papal chair as Pope Innocent IX.

Mindful of the origin of his success, Innocent IX supported, during his two months ' pontificate, the cause of Philip II and the Catholic League against Henry IV of France ( 1589 – 1610 ) in the civil Wars of Religion ( 1562 – 1598 ), where a papal army was in the field.

Death, however, did not permit the realisation of Innocent IX's schemes.