Pope Urban VIII, born Maffeo Vincenzo Barberini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 6 August 1623 to his death, in July 1644. As pope, he expanded the papal territory by force of arms and advantageous politicking, and was also a prominent patron of the arts, commissioning works from artists like Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and a reformer of Church missions. His papacy also covered 21 years of the Thirty Years' War.
- Occupation
- Catholic priest, patron of the arts, writer, Catholic bishop
- Position held
- Pope, Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals, diocesan bishop, titular archbishop
- Born
- April 5, 1568, April 15, 1568
- Died
- July 29, 1644
