‹ The Popes
235th Roman Pontiff
Urban VIII
VRBANVS Octavus
Maffeo Vincenzo Barberini
235th Successor of St Peter · 1623–1644 · Italy · b. Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany
1623
Elected
1644
Reign ended
21 years
Length
17th
Century
The Life
Subject of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Issued a bill that made the use of tobacco in holy places punishable by excommunication (1624). Trial against Galileo Galilei. Last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms.
Portrait: Pietro da Cortona / Wikimedia Commons