Pope Urban VII

Pope Urban VII was elected pope in 1590 and died 13 days later, before his coronation. His pontificate is the shortest in recorded papal history.

Papal conclave of September 1590: The conclave that elected Giovanni Battista Castagna as Pope Urban VII in September 1590. It chose Castagna after months of conflict among factions in the College of Cardinals.
Giovanni Battista Castagna: The Italian churchman who became Pope Urban VII in 1590. This was Urban VII’s name before his election to the papacy.
Papal conclave of December 1590: The conclave that elected Gregory XIV after Urban VII’s death. It began the process of replacing the pope whose reign had lasted only 13 days.
Papal bull: A formal document issued by a pope, authenticated by a seal called a bulla. Urban VII’s government issued a bull ordering restrictions on tobacco use in church buildings.
Pope Sixtus V: Pope from 1585 to 1590 who reorganized the Roman Curia and strengthened papal administration. His death created the vacancy filled by Urban VII’s election.
Pope Gregory XIII: Pope from 1572 to 1585, known for implementing the Gregorian calendar reform. Castagna served as a diplomat and cardinal during Gregory XIII’s pontificate.
Papal conclave of October 1590: The conclave that elected Pope Innocent IX after Gregory XIV’s death. It followed the succession of short pontificates initiated by Urban VII’s death.
Tobacco in early modern Europe: The spread and use of tobacco in Europe from the sixteenth century onward. Urban VII’s brief pontificate is associated with an early prohibition on smoking in churches.
College of Cardinals: The body of senior Catholic clergy whose members elect the pope and advise him. Its cardinals elected Urban VII and assembled again after his death.
Pope Pius V: Pope from 1566 to 1572 who advanced Catholic reform and enforced the Tridentine decrees. Castagna’s early rise in church service took place under Pius V.

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Pope Pius IIICompared with: His reign was even shorter than Pius III’s 26-day pontificate.