Pope Urban VIII

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Urban VIII
Papacy began6 August 1623
Papacy ended29 July 1644
PredecessorPope Gregory XV
SuccessorPope Innocent X
Personal details
Birth nameMaffeo Barberini
Born5 April 1568
Florence
Died29 July 1644
Rome
Other popes named Urban

Pope Urban VIII (Latin: Urbanus Quartus; 5 April 1568 – 29 July 1644), born Maffeo Barberini, was an Italian cleric of the Roman Catholic Church and the 236th Pope from 1623 to 1644.[1]

Early life[change | change source]

Maffeo Barberini was born in 1568 into the Barberini family of Florence in Italy. His studies led to a doctorate of law from the University of Pisa in 1589.[2]

Bishop[change | change source]

In 1604, Pope Clement VIII appointed Barberini Archbishop of Nazareth. He was transferred by Pope Paul V who made him the Bishop of Spoleto in 1608.[2]

Cardinal[change | change source]

In 1606, Paul V raising Barberini to be Cardinal of S. Pietro in Montorio.[2]

Pope[change | change source]

Cardinal Barberini was elected pope on August 6, 1623; and took the name Urban VIII.[2]

Pope Urban was involved in Italian and European political disputes.[2]

During his reign, the papal palace at Castel Gandolfo was built.[3]

Pope Urban caused the baldachin to be built over the central alter in St. Peter's Basilica.[2]

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

The Coat of Arms of Urban VIII
  1. "List of Popes," Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-15.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Pope Urban VIII," Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2011-11-15.
  3. Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. (1843). "Urban IV," Penny cyclopaedia, Vol. 26, p. 46.

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to Urbanus VIII at Wikimedia Commons

  •  "Pope Urban VIII" . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.
  • Catholic Hierarchy, Pope Urban VIII
  • GCatholic, Pope Urban VIII
  • Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Barberini


Preceded by
Gregory XV
Pope
1623–1644
Succeeded by
Innocent X