The number of the cardinals present at Viterbo at the death of Adrian V is unclear, but, except for Simon de Brion, who acted as legate in France, at least cardinal Vicedomino de Vicedominis (and perhaps also Riccardo Annibaldi) was absent at Rome due to illness.

According to the later account created probably in the ecclesiastical circles of Piacenza and popularized by Franciscan historians, Cardinal Vicedomino de Vicedomini, bishop of Palestrina and (ostensibly) dean of the College of Cardinals, was elected pope on September 5 and took the name Gregory XI in honour of his uncle Gregory X, but he died within hours of his election, before it could be proclaimed.

Lorenzo Cardella, Gaetano Moroni or more recently Francis Burkle-Young[9]) has several weak points.

[11] Medieval necrology of the Cathedral of Piacenza recorded only: obiit Vicedominus quondam ep.

Vicedomino ostensibly was elected under the influence of his relative, Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina Giovanni Visconti.

The suburbicarian see of Sabina was occupied by Bertrand de Saint Martin, who is well attested in the curial documents until 1277.