Giovanni Orsini
Giovanni Orsini
Reigned from 25 November 1277 to 22 August 1280. Born c.1216 at Rome, Italy ; died on 22 August 1280 at Soriano, Italy . As cardinal -deacon he played an important part in papal affairs after 1244. While pope he attempted to free Rome from foreign influence, and to check the Angevins in central Italy . At the request of the Tatar khan he sent Franciscan missionaries to Persia and China .