Roman Catholic Pope. Giambattista Castagna, the son of a Genoese nobleman, was born in Rome. His mother was the sister of Cardinal Jacovazzi. He graduated with a doctorate in civil and canon law. In 1553, Pope Julius II appointed him Archbishop of Rossano. He was ordained a priest later in the month. Castagna held other offices in the Church throughout his life; Governor of Perugia and Umbria, papal nuncio to Spain, papal nuncio to Venice and Consultor of the Holy Office and the Ecclesiastical State. Pope Gregory XIII made him a cardinal in 1583. Pope Sixtus V made him Inquisitor-General of the Holy Office in 1586. He would be the first of three popes whose combined reigns did not last a year and a half. After the death of Sixtus V, Castagna was elected pope on September 15, 1590 and took the name Urban VII. He became seriously ill a few days after the election and was dead within two weeks. Urban VII died before the papal coronation could take place and his 13-days as pope became the shortest papal reign in history. He was originally buried in St. Peter's Basilica, however in 1606, his remains were transferred to the Church of St. Maria sopra Minerva. After his death, Pope Gregory XIV succeeded him.
Roman Catholic Pope. Giambattista Castagna, the son of a Genoese nobleman, was born in Rome. His mother was the sister of Cardinal Jacovazzi. He graduated with a doctorate in civil and canon law. In 1553, Pope Julius II appointed him Archbishop of Rossano. He was ordained a priest later in the month. Castagna held other offices in the Church throughout his life; Governor of Perugia and Umbria, papal nuncio to Spain, papal nuncio to Venice and Consultor of the Holy Office and the Ecclesiastical State. Pope Gregory XIII made him a cardinal in 1583. Pope Sixtus V made him Inquisitor-General of the Holy Office in 1586. He would be the first of three popes whose combined reigns did not last a year and a half. After the death of Sixtus V, Castagna was elected pope on September 15, 1590 and took the name Urban VII. He became seriously ill a few days after the election and was dead within two weeks. Urban VII died before the papal coronation could take place and his 13-days as pope became the shortest papal reign in history. He was originally buried in St. Peter's Basilica, however in 1606, his remains were transferred to the Church of St. Maria sopra Minerva. After his death, Pope Gregory XIV succeeded him.
Bio by: Frank McGady
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