Pope Urban VII

Pope Urban VII (; 4 August 1521 – 27 September 1590), born Giovanni Battista Castagna, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 229th Pope. He ruled for thirteen days in September 1590, "List of Popes,"  Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-13. and died before his consecration, from malaria. This makes him the shortest reigning Pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

Early life
Castagna was of Genoan origin, although born in Rome.Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. (1843).  "Urban VII," Penny cyclopaedia, Vol. 26, p. 45.

Priest
Castagna was ordained priest March 30, 1553."Pope Urban VII," Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2011-11-13.

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

Cardinal
In 1584, Pope Gregory XIII made Castagna Cardinal of San 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

References

Other websites


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

Category:Italian popes
Category:People from Rome
Category:1521 births
Category:1590 deaths