Holy See / Papa Nicolaus Tertius (Pope Nicholas III)

Pope Nicholas III (Latin: Nicolaus III), born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, was Pope from 25 November 1277 to his death in 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 (1243-54), protector of the Franciscans by Pope Alexander IV (1254-61), inquisitor-general by Pope Urban IV (1261-64), and succeeded Pope John XXI (1276-77) after a six-month vacancy in the Holy See resolved in the papal election of 1277, largely through family influence.