Pope Nicholas III (Rome, 1210/1220 - August 22, 1280), born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, 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), largely through family influence, after a six-months' vacancy in the Holy See.