Biblia

Urban VIII

Urban VIII pope from 1623 to 1644, was a native of Florence named Maffeo Barberini, and a pupil of the Jesuits. He developed a fondness for poetry, and entered the service of the curia, in which he filled many positions of great importance. His most influential work was perhaps the promotion of the restoration of … Continue reading “Urban VIII”

Urban VII, Pope

Urban VII, Pope Giambattista Castagna, born at Rome, 4 Aug., 1521; elected pope, 15 September, 1590; died at Rome, 27 September, 1590. His father, Cosimo, was a Genoese nobleman; his mother, Costanza Ricci, was a Roman and sister of Cardinal Jacovazzi. He studied civil and canon law at various universities of Italy and graduated as … Continue reading “Urban VII, Pope”

Urban VII

Urban VII of Genoese extraction, though born at Rome, was previously named John Baptist Castagna. He was archbishop of Rossano, member of the Council of Trent, repeatedly a legate to Germany and Spain, and, finally, a cardinal. He was elected to the papacy as the successor of Sixtus V, but died twelve days after the … Continue reading “Urban VII”

Urban VI, Pope

Urban VI, Pope Bartolomeo Prignano, the first Roman pope during the Western Schism, born at Naples, about 1318; died at Rome, 15 October, 1389; according to many he was poisoned by the Romans. At an early age he went to Avignon, where he gained many powerful friends. On 21 March, 1364, he was consecrated Archbishop … Continue reading “Urban VI, Pope”

Urban VI

Urban VI the first to ascend the papal chair in the period of the great schism, was previously named Bartholomew of Prignano, and was a native of the city of Naples. He became archbishop of Bari and followed Gregory XI, April 8, 1378, the people of Rome having demanded an Italian pope. He attempted to … Continue reading “Urban VI”

Urban V

Urban V the last of the Avignon popes, reigned from 1362 to 1370. His name was William Grimvard, and he had been a Benedictine monk, abbot at Auxerre in 1353, and at St. Victor’s, in Marseilles, in 1358. He was rated as a most capable canonist, and had officiated as teacher of canon and civil … Continue reading “Urban V”

Urban IV, Pope

Urban IV, Pope Reigned 1261-64 (Jacques Pantaléon), son of a French cobbler, born at Troyes, probably in the last years of the twelfth century; died at Perugia, 2 Oct., 1264. He became a canon of Laon and later Archdeacon of Liège, attracted the attention of Innocent IV at the Council of Lyons (1245), and in … Continue reading “Urban IV, Pope”

Urban IV

Urban IV pope from A.D. 1261 to 1264, named Jacob Pantaleon, the son of a shoemaker at Troves, studied at Paris and became canon of Troyes, and afterwards bishop of Liege. Innocent IV sent him as legate to Germany, and Alexander IV nominated him patriarch of Jerusalem. His brief pontificate was disturbed by political agitations … Continue reading “Urban IV”