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
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
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
In 1606, Paul V raising Barberini to be Cardinal of S. Pietro in Montorio .[ 2]
Pope
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
References
The Coat of Arms of Urban VIII
Other websites
Media related to Urbanus VIII at Wikimedia Commons