GREGORIO VIII, POPE. — Alberto de Morra, of Benevento, died at Pisa on 17 December 1187; he was a regular canon of S. Agostino, and also founded a Congregation of that institute at Benevento with strict statutes. In 1155–56 he was a cardinal deacon, in 1158 a cardinal priest, and from 1178 chancellor of the Holy Roman Church. Elected pope at Ferrara on 21 October 1187, he was consecrated at Pisa on the 25th of the same month. After only 57 days, death cut short a pontificate that appeared promising because of the plans G. had conceived, especially for a new crusade, the reform of the Church, and peace with the Empire.
BIBL.: G. Klemann, Papst Gregor VIII., Bonn 1915; P. Kehr, Papst Gregor VIII., als Ordensgründer, in Miscellanea F. Ehrle, II (Studi e testi, 38), Rome 1924, pp. 248–75. Alberto Ghinato