Pope Urban VIII (baptised 5 April 1568 – 29 July 1644), born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions. However, the massive debts incurred during his papacy greatly weakened his successors, who were unable to maintain the papacy's longstanding political and military influence in Europe. He was also involved in a controversy with Galileo and his theory on heliocentrism during his reign.
Read more about Pope Urban VIII: Early Life, Papacy, Politics, Patron of The Arts, Later Life and Legacy, Private Revelation
Famous quotes containing the words pope, urban and/or viii:
“We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow;
Our wiser sons, no doubt will think us so.”
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What is man, that thou art mindful of him?”
—Bible: Hebrew Psalm VIII (l. VIII, 3–4)