Urban VIII

(1568–1644)

   Pope.

   Urban was born Maffeo Barberini in Florence, Italy, and he was educated there and in Pisa. He was created a Cardinal in 1606, consecrated Bishop of Spoleto in 1608, Legate of Bologna in 1617 and he was elected Pope in 1623. During his Pontifi- cate, much was done to fortify the Papal States and he pursued an active role diplomatically in order to preserve papal temporal power. In particular he worked against the Imperial interests in Italy, thus effectively lending support to France and Sweden in the Thirty Years War. He unashamedly promoted the careers of his relations, but at the same time he worked actively for reform in the Church. He was a great supporter of missionaries, founding the Urban College of Propaganda in 1627. He revised the Breviary and his decree on canonisation largely remains in force today. He was a tremendous builder; he was largely responsible for the Barbarini Palace and he encouraged Bernini in his plans for St Peter’s Basilica. He did much to enforce the guidelines laid down in the Council of Trent and he approved several new orders, including that of St vincent de paul. He is chiefly remembered, however, as the Pope who condemned galileo for a second time and as the author of the first bull against the theology of Cornelius jansen.

   W.N. Weech, Urban VIII (1903).