Pope Innocent IX was the head of the Roman Catholic Church for a brief period in 1591. He was born as Giovanni Battista Castagna in 1519 and became a cardinal before his papacy. His election came during a time of political and religious turmoil in Europe, particularly due to the ongoing effects of the Reformation. His papacy lasted only about 11 weeks, as he died on January 30, 1592. Despite his short reign, he is remembered for his efforts to address issues within the Church and for his attempts to mediate conflicts among European powers, including the Spanish Empire and France.