Pope Urban VII

Pope Urban VII (Urbanus VII; 4 August 1521 – 27 September 1590), born Giovanni Battista Castagna, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 229th Pope for thirteen days in September 1590. This makes him the shortest reigning Pope in the history of the Catholic church.

Early life
Castagna was of Genoese origin, although born in Rome.

Priest
Castagna was ordained priest 30 March 30, 1553.

Bishop
Pope Julius III appointed him Archbishop of Rossano on March 1, 1553.

Cardinal
In 1584, Pope Gregory XIII made Castagna Cardinal of S. Marcello.

Pope
Cardinal Castagna was elected pope on 15 September 1590. He chose the name Urban, which in Latin signifies "kind".

Pope Urban died from Malaria on September 27, 1590.

Related pages

 * List of popes
 * List of popes by length of reign

Other websites



 * Catholic Hierarchy, Pope Urban VII
 * GCatholic, Pope Urban VII
 * Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Castagna