When was Pope Urban VII born?

Pope Urban VII was born on 4 August 1521 in Rome.

What positions has Pope Urban VII held?

Positions held by Pope Urban VII include: Pope (1590–1590); apostolic Nuncio to Spain (1565–1572); Roman Catholic Archbishop of Rossano (1553–1573).

Where did Pope Urban VII study?

Pope Urban VII was educated at University of Perugia, University of Bologna, University of Padua.

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Pope Urban VII

Pope of the Catholic Church in September 1590

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Pope Urban VII (Latin: Urbanus VII; Italian: Urbano VII; 4 August 1521 – 27 September 1590), born Giovanni Battista Castagna, was head of the Catholic Church, and leader of the Papal States from 15 to 27 September 1590. His papacy is the shortest recognized in history.

Quick facts

Born: 4 August 1521 wd
Place of birth: Rome wd
Died: 27 September 1590 wd
Place of death: Rome wd
Occupation: Catholic priest, transitional deacon, Catholic bishop wd
Education: University of Perugia, University of Bologna, University of Padua wd

Positions held wd

Pope (15 September 1590 – 27 September 1590)
apostolic Nuncio to Spain (1565–1572)
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Rossano (4 April 1553 – 23 January 1573)

About

Castagna, born in Rome in 1521, was a highly educated man who held various positions within the Catholic Church and the structures of the Papal States of his day. He served as Governor of Fano, Perugia, and Umbria and, as the Archbishop of Rossano, participated in the Council of Trent. Later, he was appointed as the Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Venice and served as the Papal legate to Flanders and to Cologne. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 1583 by Pope Gregory XIII.

Upon the death of Pope Sixtus V, Castagna was elected as pope on 15 September 1590, taking the name Urban VII. He was known for his charity, public works projects, and strict opposition to nepotism. His papacy was short-lived as he died of malaria on 27 September 1590, after just 12 days in office. Urban VII is remembered for instituting the world's first known public smoking ban, threatening excommunication for those using tobacco in or near a church.

Questions

When was Pope Urban VII born?: Pope Urban VII was born on 4 August 1521 in Rome.
What positions has Pope Urban VII held?: Positions held by Pope Urban VII include: Pope (1590–1590); apostolic Nuncio to Spain (1565–1572); Roman Catholic Archbishop of Rossano (1553–1573).
Where did Pope Urban VII study?: Pope Urban VII was educated at University of Perugia, University of Bologna, University of Padua.

Sources

Last updated 3 November 2026 · facts checked 5 November 2026

Cite this page

"Pope Urban VII". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-urban-vii. Retrieved 5 November 2026.

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Text from the Wikipedia article Pope Urban VII, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Portrait of Pope Urban VII Castagna (Jacopo del Conte, Vatican Museums).jpg — Jacopino del Conte, Public domain.

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