26 Urban VIII (1623-44)

Urban VIII

Pope Urban VIII (1623-1644)

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

Birth name: Maffeo Vincenzo Barberini
Birth: April 5, 1568, Florence, Duchy of Florence (Italy)
Papal election: August 6, 1623
Coronation: September 29, 1623
Pontificate: August 6, 1623 – July 29, 1644 (20 years, 11 months)
Death: July 29, 1644, Rome (age 76)
Burial: St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
Religious order: Secular clergy
Papal motto: None officially recorded
Cognome: “Pope of the Barberini”, “Last Warrior Pope”, “Patron of the Arts”

NOTE: One of the longest and most consequential pontificates of the 17th century – patron of Bernini, condemner of Galileo, and the last pope to expand papal territory by force of arms .

FORMATION AND RELIGIOUS LIFE

Aristocratic Origins – The Barberini Family

Family Barberini:

Antonio Barberini: father, Florentine nobleman
Camilla Barbadoro: mother
Family originally from Barberino Val d’Elsa (Tuscany)
Wealth derived from wool trade and banking (“sheep-shearing” fortunes)
Maffeo: third of six children

Childhood:

Father died when Maffeo was only three years old
Mother brought him to Rome at an early age
Placed under the care of his uncle, Francesco Barberini (Apostolic Protonotary)
At age 16, became his uncle’s heir, inheriting considerable wealth

Education

Collegio Romano (Jesuit):

Educated by the Society of Jesus (“Jesuits”)
Curriculum: humanities, rhetoric, philosophy
Developed lifelong literary interests

University of Pisa (1589):

Received Doctorate of Law (both civil and canon law)
Graduated at age 21

Early Career (1589-1601)

Return to Rome after graduation:

Abbreviator Apostolic: minor curial office
Referendary of the Apostolic Signatura: judge in papal tribunal (1589-1592)

Ordination:

September 24, 1592 – ordained priest
Relatively late for the period (age 24)

Governor of Fano (1592-1604):

Papal city in the Marche region
12 years as governor
Administrative experience
Reputation: competent, efficient, cultivated

Diplomatic Career (1601-1606)

Papal Legate to France (1601):

Sent by Pope Clement VIII to congratulate King Henry IV on the birth of the Dauphin (future Louis XIII)
First important diplomatic mission
Made excellent impression on the French court

Archbishop of Nazareth (1604):

Appointed by Clement VIII
Office joined with that of Bishop of the suppressed Dioceses of Canne and Monteverde
Residence: Barletta (Apulia)

Nuncio to France (1604-1606):

Apostolic Nuncio in Paris
Developed close relationship with King Henry IV
Became very influential in French affairs
Learned French politics thoroughly (would shape his later pro-French policy)

Cardinal (1606-1623)

Created Cardinal by Pope Paul V:

September 11, 1606 – Cardinal-Priest
Titular church: San Pietro in Montorio (1607-1610)
Later: Sant’Onofrio (1610-1623)

Bishop of Spoleto (1608-1617):

Transferred to this see on October 17, 1608
Convened a diocesan synod
Completed the seminary
Built two additional diocesan seminaries (at Spello and Visso)

Legate of Bologna (1617):

Appointed by Paul V as papal legate
Also made Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura

Character during cardinalate:

Highly cultured: wrote Latin poetry, patronized men of letters
Diplomatic and astute
Accumulated friends rather than enemies
Maintained luxurious residence (inherited uncle’s wealth)
Built reputation as one of the most accomplished cardinals

CONCLAVE OF 1623 – PAPAL ELECTION

Death of Gregory XV

July 8, 1623: Death of Pope Gregory XV (Alessandro Ludovisi)

Context:

Gregory XV’s pontificate: short but significant (1621-1623)
Had established the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (1622)
Left College of Cardinals divided

The Conclave

Start: July 19, 1623
Location: Apostolic Palace, Rome
Duration: 19 days

Number of cardinals: 55 entered conclave

Factions:

Spanish faction: aligned with Habsburg interests
French faction: aligned with Bourbon interests
Italian neutrals: sought independent candidate
Barberini supporters: Maffeo’s own network

Candidacy of Barberini:

Initially not considered a frontrunner
Cardinal Ottavio Bandini worked to prevent his election
Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi (nephew of Gregory XV) initially dismissed his chances

Turning point (July 30):

Cardinals Odoardo Farnese, Carlo de’ Medici, and Ippolito Aldobrandini discussed Barberini’s candidacy
All three supported him
Began securing votes from other factions

Election: August 6, 1623

Cardinal Maffeo Barberini received fifty votes
Elected on the 19th day of conclave
Age: 55 years old

Choice of name: Urban VIII

In honor of Urban (popes of that name)
“Urban” means “courteous” – fitting his refined character

Delay of Coronation:

Stricken with fever (common in Rome’s summer)
Forced to postpone coronation until September 29, 1623

Description by Venetian envoy Zeno:

“The new Pontiff is 56 years old. His Holiness is tall, dark, with regular features and black hair turning grey. He is exceptionally elegant and refined in all details of his dress; has a graceful and aristocratic bearing and exquisite taste. He is an excellent speaker and debater, writes verses and patronises poets and men of letters.”

PONTIFICATE (1623-1644) – 21 YEARS

First Acts

Humility before acceptance:

Before allowing himself to be vested in pontifical robes, he prostrated himself before the altar, praying “that God might let him die if his pontificate would not be for the good of the Church”

Immediate actions (August 6, 1623):

Issued the Bulls of canonization for Philip Neri, Ignatius Loyola, and Francis Xavier (who had been canonized by Gregory XV)

Selection of Secretary of State:

Initially: kept experienced curial officials
Later: his nephew Francesco Barberini would dominate

Character and Personality

Description by contemporaries:

Venetian Ambassador Alvise Contarini: “He loves life: in the morning he discusses pleasant things, mainly poetry; and he delights in hearing his Latin compositions set to music.”
Cultured: wrote poetry in Greek, Latin, and Italian (published 1620, 1634, 1637)
Refined: elegant, aristocratic bearing
Astute: politically shrewd
Ambitious: determined to elevate Barberini family
Patron of arts: genuine lover of beauty

Temperament:

Could be melancholic and subject to fits of violent temper
Evidence: one summer, he had all the birds in the papal gardens slaughtered because their noise distracted him from work

Literary works:

Maphei Cardinalis Barberini poemata (Rome, 1637) – collection of poems written before his papacy
Composed hymns for the Breviary (feasts of St. Martina, St. Hermenegild, St. Elizabeth of Portugal)
Wrote the entire proper Office of St. Elizabeth

RELATIONS WITH MONARCHIES AND THIRTY YEARS’ WAR

Political Context

Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648):

Urban’s pontificate covered 21 years of this devastating conflict
Initially: Catholic Habsburgs (Austria, Spain) vs. Protestant powers
Later: became dynastic conflict involving Catholic France against Catholic Habsburgs

Urban’s policy: Pro-French, anti-Habsburg

Desired extinction of Protestantism everywhere
But: feared Habsburg domination in Italy more than he feared Protestant victory
Withheld support from Habsburgs despite their Catholic champion role
Allied with Cardinal Richelieu of France (Catholic but anti-Habsburg)

Assessment:

This alliance destroyed the Habsburgs’ claim to be exclusive champions of Catholicism
Turned Thirty Years’ War into conflict of dynastic interests
Result: not so much triumph of Protestantism as ruin of Germany

Relations with Specific Powers

France:

Close relationship (had been nuncio there)
Supported Richelieu despite his suppression of Huguenots at home and alliances with Protestants abroad
Result: French influence in Rome increased

Spain:

Strained relations
Spanish ambassadors frequently frustrated
Habsburg interests subordinated to French

Holy Roman Empire:

Emperor Ferdinand II: expected papal support against Protestants
Urban refused to provide substantial financial aid
Papal nuncios in Vienna: often worked at cross-purposes with imperial policy

England:

Attempted to restore Catholicism
1624: Sent Richard Smith as Vicar Apostolic
Smith’s imprudent insistence on exercising full episcopal authority led to conflict with Jesuits and government persecution
1631: Smith forced to flee
1634: Sent Gregorio Panzani to England
1638-1639: George Conn, then Rossetti as agents
King Charles I requested financial aid through Rossetti (war with Parliament brewing)
Urban refused except on condition of the king’s conversion
English Civil War ended all negotiations

TERRITORIAL EXPANSION AND MILITARY POLICY

Acquisition of Urbino (1626)

Duchy of Urbino:

Ruled by the della Rovere family
Duke Francesco Maria della Rovere: aged, without heirs
Urban persuaded him to cede the duchy to the Church
Incorporated into Papal States (1626)
Last major territorial expansion of the Papal States

Fortifications and Military Infrastructure

Urban VIII: the last warrior pope

Determined to strengthen papal military capacity
Massive fortification program

Major projects:

Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome: heavily fortified (1624-1641)
Fort Urbano: erected at Castelfranco Emilia (Mantuan frontier) – costly but unfavorably situated
Civitavecchia: transformed into military port with harbor fortifications
Tivoli: established extensive arms manufactory
Monte Cavallo (Quirinal Hill): fortified
Other fortifications throughout the Papal States

Vatican Arsenal:

Established within Vatican City
Produced cannon and weaponry

The Pantheon Bronze – Famous Satire

For making cannon and the baldachin in St. Peter’s:

Massive bronze girders were removed from the portico of the Pantheon (ancient Roman temple)
Used for:
1. Baldacchino (Bernini’s canopy over St. Peter’s tomb)
2. Cannon for Castel Sant’Angelo

Resulting lampoon (pasquinade):

“Quod non fecerunt barbari, fecerunt Barberini”
(“What the barbarians did not do, the Barberini did”)

Irony: The Barberini, who claimed ancient lineage, were compared unfavorably to the barbarian invaders who had spared the Pantheon.

PATRONAGE OF ARTS – THE BAROQUE POPE

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Urban’s most significant artistic relationship:

Discovered and nurtured the young Bernini’s talent
1629: Appointed Bernini chief architect of St. Peter’s
Bernini succeeded Carlo Maderno

Major commissions for Bernini:

Baldacchino (canopy) over the tomb of St. Peter (1624-1633)
- Bronze taken from the Pantheon
- Massive twisted columns
- Barberini bees (family emblem) prominently displayed
Tomb of Urban VIII (1628-1647)
- Located in St. Peter’s Basilica
- Bronze figure of the pope blessing
- Personifications of Charity and Justice
- Skeleton writing the pope’s name in a book (memento mori)
Palazzo Barberini:
- Bernini completed the enlargement (begun by Maderno)
- Now houses Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica
Loggias of St. Peter’s
Fountains and piazzas throughout Rome

Other Artistic Patronage

Palazzo Barberini:

Luxurious Renaissance/Baroque palace
Family residence in Rome
Decorated by leading artists of the day
Barberini Library founded (later acquired by Leo XIII for Vatican Library in 1902)

Castel Gandolfo:

Papal summer residence
Built during Urban’s pontificate
Grandiose villa with extensive gardens
Claude Lorrain commemorated its completion

Coat of arms – Barberini bees:

Three bees (or bumblebees) on a blue field
Contemporaries complained of gross extravagance
10,000 duplications of the Barberini coat of arms appeared throughout Rome and the Papal States

Overall assessment of artistic patronage:

Transformed Rome into Baroque city
Massive expenditure on architecture, sculpture, painting
Legacy visible today throughout Rome
But: drained papal finances

Patronage of Music and Literature

Music:

Great patron of opera and music
Delighted in hearing his Latin compositions set to music
Supported development of Baroque musical forms

Literature:

Patronized poets and men of letters
Maintained literary circle
His own poetry published and widely read

NEPOTISM – THE BARBERINI DYNASTY

Scale of Nepotism

Contemporary view:

“Urban VIII practiced nepotism on a grand scale; various members of his family were enormously enriched by him, so that it seemed to contemporaries as if he were establishing a Barberini dynasty.”

Historian Leopold von Ranke’s estimate:

During his reign, Urban VIII’s immediate family amassed 105 million scudi in personal wealth
Incredible sum for the period

Family Appointments

Brother:

Antonio Marcello Barberini (Antonio the Elder) – Capuchin friar
Made Bishop of Senigaglia (1625)
Created cardinal (1628)
Appointed Grand Penitentiary and Librarian of the Vatican

Nephews:

Francesco Barberini (nephew):
- Created cardinal three days after Urban’s coronation (1623)
- Made librarian of the Vatican (1627)
- Vice-Chancellor (1632)
- Did not abuse his power (according to contemporaries)
- Built the large Barberini Palace
- Founded Barberini Library
Antonio Barberini (Antonio the Younger – another nephew):
- Created cardinal (1627)
- Made Camerlengo (1638)
- Became commander-in-chief of papal troops
- Legate at Avignon and Urbino (1633)
- Legate at Bologna, Ferrara, Romagna (1641)
Taddeo Barberini (third nephew):
- Made Prince of Palestrina
- Appointed Gonfalonier of the Church (standard-bearer)
- Prefect of Rome
- Commander of Sant’Angelo

Moral Scruples?

Urban’s doubts:

Tormented with scruples concerning his nepotism
Twice appointed special committees of theologians to investigate whether it was lawful for his nephews to retain their possessions

Committee decisions:

First committee: decided in favor of nephews
Second committee (including Cardinal Lugo and Father Lupis): also decided in favor

Convenient theology:

Theologians found reasons to justify immense wealth
Urban accepted these judgments
Nepotism continued unabated

Financial Consequences

Massive debts incurred:

Urban’s extravagance (fortifications + art patronage + nepotism) drained papal treasury
Left enormous debt for successors
Weakened papacy’s political and military influence for decades

GALILEO AFFAIR (1633)

Background: Early Friendship

Urban and Galileo before the papacy:

Maffeo Barberini and Galileo Galilei: friends
Barberini admired Galileo’s work
As cardinal, he had defended Galileo against accusations
Galileo dedicated works to him

Urban as pope (early years):

Initially continued friendly relations
Galileo came to Rome (1624) and had six audiences with the pope
Urban gave Galileo permission to write about Copernican theory – as hypothesis only, not fact

The Dialogue (1632)

Galileo’s book:

Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (1632)
Compared Copernican system with Ptolemaic system
Three characters: Salviati (Copernican), Sagredo (neutral), Simplicio (Ptolemaic)
Simplicio: simpleton who defended traditional view

The fatal choice:

Urban believed (or was persuaded) that the character Simplicio represented him
The arguments of Simplicio were made to seem foolish
Urban felt personally betrayed

Trial and Condemnation (1633)

Summons to Rome:

Urban ordered Galileo to Rome (1633)
Despite Galileo’s age (69) and illness

Trial by Inquisition:

Charged with “vehement suspicion of heresy”
Forced to recant Copernican views
Legend: after recanting, muttered “Eppur si muove” (“And yet it moves”)

Verdict:

Galileo condemned
Dialogue placed on Index of Forbidden Books
Galileo sentenced to house arrest (remained until death in 1642)

Urban’s role:

Personally involved in the case
Reluctantly condemned his former friend
Refused clemency
Some historians: Urban felt betrayed and overreacted
Others: political pressure from Spanish faction forced his hand

Assessment

Galileo affair’s significance:

Became symbol of Church’s conflict with science
Damaged Church’s intellectual reputation
Urban’s reputation suffered
Not resolved until John Paul II’s acknowledgment of error (1992)

JANSENISM – EARLY CONDEMNATION

Background

Cornelius Jansen (1585-1638):

Bishop of Ypres
Wrote Augustinus (published posthumously, 1640)
Emphasized: divine grace, predestination, human depravity
Similar to Calvinism but within Catholic framework

Spread in France:

Attracted many devout Catholics
Center: Port-Royal Abbey
Opposition: Jesuits (emphasized free will)

Urban’s Response

Bull In eminenti (March 6, 1642):

Condemned Augustinus of Jansenius
Prohibited teaching of Jansenist doctrines
Issued before controversy fully developed
Significance: First papal condemnation of Jansenism

Publication delayed:

Bull published in June 1643
But: political complications delayed enforcement
Jansenism would continue to trouble Church for 150+ years

MISSIONARY ACTIVITY AND COLONIAL POLICY

Propagation of the Faith (Propaganda Fide)

Gregory XV’s foundation (1622):

Urban continued and expanded its work
Extended sphere of activity for the Congregation

Collegium Urbanum (1627):

Founded by Urban VIII
Purpose: training missionaries for foreign countries
Named after him
Became major training center for missionaries

China and Japan – Opening to All Orders

Previous Jesuit monopoly:

Gregory XIII (1585) had given Jesuits exclusive right to missions in China and Japan
Jesuits developed effective strategy: cultural accommodation

Urban’s policy change (1633):

Opened China and Japan to all missionaries
Repealed Jesuit monopoly
Permitted other orders (Franciscans, Dominicans) to enter

Consequences:

More missionaries arrived
But: rivalries between orders developed
Chinese Rites controversy intensified (would explode later)

Maronite College (1625)

Founded on Mount Lebanon:

For Maronite Christians (Eastern Catholic rite)
Training of indigenous clergy
Strengthened Eastern Catholic churches

Anti-Slavery Measures

Bull on slavery (April 22, 1639):

Strictly prohibited slavery of any kind among the Indians of Paraguay, Brazil, and the entire West Indies
Defended native populations from enslavement
Protected existence of Jesuit missions in South America

Previous bull (1638):

Commissum Nobis protected Jesuit Reductions
Forbade enslavement of natives at the missions

Dioceses and Vicariates

Erected various dioceses and vicariates in pagan countries

Encouraged missionaries by word and financial assistance
Strengthened Church presence in Asia, Americas, Africa

LITURGICAL REFORMS AND DEVOTIONAL LIFE

Reform of the Breviary

Committee appointed (1629):

Purpose: reform of the Roman Breviary
Their incomplete and often ill-advised corrections were approved (September 19, 1631)
Official edition of the Roman Breviary issued (1632)

Urban’s personal contributions:

Composed hymns for the Breviary
Wrote the entire proper Office of St. Elizabeth
Introduced many new offices

Holy Days of Obligation

Bull (September 13, 1642):

Reduced number of holy days of obligation to thirty-four, besides Sundays
Aimed at practical pastoral concern
Previously: too many feast days burdened the faithful

Policy on Private Revelation

Bull Sanctissimus Dominus Noster (March 13, 1625):

Instructed Catholics not to venerate the deceased or represent them in the manner of saints without Church sanction
Required bishop’s approval for publication of private revelations
Reserved beatification of saints to the Holy See

Later bull (October 30, 1625):

Forbade representation with halo of sanctity of persons not beatified or canonized
Prohibited placing lamps, tablets, etc., before their sepulchres
Forbade printing of alleged miracles or revelations without approval

Purpose: prevent superstition, maintain control over cult of saints

Long-term effect: standard disclaimer in devotional books (19th-20th centuries): “In obedience to the decrees of Urban the Eighth, I declare that I have no intention of attributing any other than a purely human authority to the miracles, revelations, favours, and particular cases recorded in this book…”

Canonizations and Beatifications

Canonizations (5 saints):

Stephen Harding (1623)
Elizabeth of Portugal (May 25, 1625)
Conrad of Piacenza (1625)
Peter Nolasco (1628)
Andrew Corsini (April 22, 1629)

Beatifications (68 individuals):

James of the Marches (Minorite) – August 12, 1624
Francis Borgia (Jesuit) – November 23, 1624
Andrew Avellino – June 10, 1625
Felix of Cantalice (Minorite) – October 1, 1625
Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi – May 8, 1626
Martyrs of Nagasaki (Japan) – 1627
Cajetan (founder of Theatines) – October 8, 1629
John of God – September 21, 1630
Josaphat Kuncevyc – May 16, 1643

Approval of New Religious Orders

Men’s orders:

Congregation of Our Saviour (1628) – reformed branch of Augustinian canons, founded by Peter Fourier (1609)
Lazarists (Priests of the Mission) (1632) – secular congregation founded by Vincent de Paul

Women’s orders:

Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre (1631)
Sisters of the Incarnation (1633)
Nuns of Our Lady of Nancy (1634)
Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy (1642)

Suppression of “Jesuitesses”:

Mary Ward’s congregation (founded 1609)
Suppressed in 1631 for insubordination

WARS OF CASTRO (1641-1644) – DISASTROUS FINALE

Background

Odoardo Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza:

Ruler of Castro (enclave within Papal States)
Wealth derived from grain exports
Powerful family: Farnese (Dukes of Parma)

Origins of conflict (1639):

Odoardo visited Rome
Quarrels on questions of etiquette with Urban’s nephews
Personal animosity developed

Barberini revenge:

Urban’s nephews induced the pope to prohibit export of grain from Castro to Roman territory
Deprived Farnese of income needed to pay interest on his bonds (monti)
Duke’s creditors complained to the pope

First War of Castro (1641-1642)

October 13, 1641:

Urban took forcible possession of Castro to assure payment of debts
Farnese: outraged

January 13, 1642:

Urban excommunicated Odoardo Farnese
Deprived him of all his fiefs

Farnese’s response:

Backed by Tuscany, Modena, and Venice (formed antipapal league)
Raised army of about 3,000 horsemen
Advanced toward Rome

Papal forces:

Commanded by Taddeo Barberini (nephew) and Luigi Mattei
Put to flight by Farnese’s forces
Humiliating defeats

Peace negotiations:

Conducted near Orvieto
But: Urban refused to accept terms

Second War of Castro (1643-1644)

Hostilities renewed (1643):

Continued without decisive success
France intervened in Odoardo’s favor

Final peace (March 31, 1644):

Peace concluded at Venice
Urban forced to:
- Free the duke from excommunication
- Restore all places taken by papal troops
- Accept defeat
“Disgraceful peace” (contemporary view)

Consequences

For Urban:

Humiliating end to his military ambitions
Last months of life: overshadowed by defeat
Reputation damaged

For Papal States:

Castro returned to Farnese
War expenses: enormous
Further drained treasury
Urban died knowing his military policy had failed

CONSISTORIES AND CARDINAL CREATIONS

Cardinals Created

Total: 74 cardinals in eight consistories throughout his pontificate

Notable creations:

Francesco Barberini (nephew) – 1623
Antonio Barberini (nephew) – 1627
Antonio Marcello Barberini (brother) – 1628
Lorenzo Magalotti (cousin)
Giovanni Battista Pamphili – future Pope Innocent X

In pectore reservations:

Created eight cardinals whom he had reserved in pectore (secretly)

Title of “Eminence” for Cardinals

Decree of June 10, 1630:

Bestowed upon cardinals the title of “Eminence”
Former title: “Illustrious and Most Reverend”
Elevated cardinalatial dignity
Still used today

Precedence

Ordered cardinals to give precedence only to crowned heads

Enhanced dignity of College of Cardinals
Reflected Urban’s high view of ecclesiastical dignity

RELATIONS WITH RELIGIOUS ORDERS

Jesuits

Complex relationship:

Educated by Jesuits
Initially supportive
But: opened China and Japan to other orders (breaking Jesuit monopoly)
Conflict with Jesuits in England over Richard Smith’s authority
Never suppressed them (unlike later popes)

Capuchins

His brother Antonio was Capuchin
Favored the order
Supported their missionary work

Other Orders

Approved new orders (noted above)
Reformed older orders
Maintained balance among competing groups

FINAL YEARS AND DEATH

Declining Health (1643-1644)

Age: 75-76 years (old for the period)

Factors affecting health:

Stress of failed War of Castro
Humiliation of defeat
Possibly remorse over nepotism?
Natural decline

Last Months

Early 1644:

Increasingly frail
Depressed over political situation
Continued work but with difficulty

March-July 1644:

Peace concluded (March 31)
Urban: relieved but humiliated
Health deteriorated rapidly

Death

July 29, 1644:

Died at age 76
Location: Rome (probably Quirinal Palace)
21 years of pontificate

Last words: Unknown (no dramatic deathbed scene recorded)

Reaction:

Mixed feelings among Romans
Admired for patronage, resented for taxes, nepotism, failed war
Barberini family: immediately concerned about their future

Funeral

Burial:

St. Peter’s Basilica
Tomb designed by Bernini (his protégé)
Completed 1647 (three years after death)

Tomb of Urban VIII (Bernini):

Bronze and marble
Pope seated, arm raised in blessing
Below: two figures (Charity and Justice)
Skeleton writing his name in a book of gold – memento mori
One of the most magnificent papal tombs

Successor

Conclave (August-September 1644):

Barberini influence: diminished
Pro-Spanish faction: strong
Elected: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Pamphili = Innocent X
Ironically: Pamphili had been created cardinal by Urban

Fate of Barberini family after Urban:

Innocent X initially investigated Antonio Barberini
Antonio, Francesco, Taddeo fled into exile (Paris)
Later reconciliation through marriage (Maffeo Barberini, son of Taddeo, married Olimpia Giustiniani, niece of Innocent X)
Barberini survived as Roman noble family

LEGACY AND HISTORICAL EVALUATION

Positive Achievements

Artistic Patronage:

Transformed Rome into Baroque capital
Bernini’s greatest works commissioned
Palazzo Barberini, Baldacchino, tomb, fountains
Legacy visible today

Missionary Expansion:

Founded Collegium Urbanum (1627)
Opened China and Japan to all missionaries
Supported missions financially
Erected new dioceses worldwide

Anti-Slavery Measures:

Condemned enslavement of Indians (1639)
Protected Jesuit Reductions
Moral stance for native populations

Liturgical Reform:

Reformed Breviary (1631-1632)
Reduced holy days (pastoral concern)
Regulated private revelation (prevented superstition)

Territorial Expansion:

Last pope to expand Papal States (Urbino, 1626)
Fortified papal defenses
Strengthened military infrastructure

Canonizations and Beatifications:

5 saints, 68 blesseds
Promoted devotion to saints
Reserved beatification to Holy See (centralization)

Negative Aspects

Excessive Nepotism:

Enriched family on colossal scale (105 million scudi estimated)
Created Barberini “dynasty”
Drained papal treasury

Galileo Condemnation:

Condemned former friend
Damaged Church’s intellectual reputation
Symbol of conflict between faith and science

Financial Irresponsibility:

Massive spending on art, fortifications, family
Left enormous debt
Weakened successors’ ability to maintain political influence

Failed War of Castro (1641-1644):

Unnecessary war based on family quarrels
Humiliating defeat
Wasted resources

Destructive Political Policy:

Pro-French, anti-Habsburg stance weakened Catholic cause in Thirty Years’ War
Contributed to prolonging war?
Germany ruined

Personal Contradictions:

Lover of beauty but had birds killed for noise
Patron of arts but financially irresponsible
Friend of Galileo but condemned him
Devout but nepotistic

Historical Assessment

Contemporary view:

Zeno’s description (1623): elegant, refined, cultured
Later view: extravagant, nepotistic, failed politician

Pasquinade (Roman satire):

“Quod non fecerunt barbari, fecerunt Barberini”
Summed up Roman resentment of his depredation of ancient monuments

17th-18th century view:

Seen as symbol of papal worldliness
Criticized for nepotism and political failures
Galileo affair damaged reputation

19th-20th century view:

Leopold von Ranke: documented nepotism’s scale
Catholic historians: defended but acknowledged faults
Art historians: celebrated as greatest papal patron of Baroque

21st century view:

Complex figure: genuine patron of arts, sincere in faith, but deeply flawed
Last “warrior pope” who attempted to maintain political power
His pontificate marked peak and beginning of decline of papal temporal power

The Barberini Bees – Symbol of an Era

Three bees (or bumblebees):

Appeared on thousands of buildings, monuments, works of art
Symbolized industry, diligence, royalty
10,000 duplications in Rome and Papal States

Significance:

Barberini ambition made visible
Papal power identified with family power
Today: still visible throughout Rome – reminder of Urban’s impact on the city

CURIOSITIES AND PERSONAL DETAILS

The Bird Massacre

One summer, Urban had all the birds in the papal gardens slaughtered
Reason: their noise distracted him from work
Reveals: capacity for violence, irritability, impatience
Contrasts with his refined, cultured image

The Pantheon Bronze

Bronze girders from Pantheon portico removed
Used for Baldacchino and cannon
Ancient Roman structure despoiled by pope
Led to enduring satirical verse
Urban reportedly indifferent to criticism

Latin Poet Pope

Published multiple volumes of poetry
Composed hymns still in Breviary
Wrote in Greek, Latin, Italian
One of the most literary popes

Title “Eminence” for Cardinals

His decree (1630) gave cardinals their current title
Previously: “Illustrious and Most Reverend”
Still used today

Longest Pontificate of 17th Century

21 years (1623-1644)
Only Clement X (1670-1676) and Innocent XI (1676-1689) approached length
Witnessed entire middle period of Thirty Years’ War

Barberini Library

Founded by nephew Francesco
Acquired by Leo XIII (1902)
Incorporated into Vatican Library
Continues as resource for scholars

The Baldacchino’s Bronze

Legend: bronze taken from Pantheon
Fact: documented in papal accounts
Still stands in St. Peter’s
Barberini bees prominently displayed

Patron of Bernini

Discovered Bernini’s talent
Gave him first major commissions
Bernini’s career largely due to Urban
Their collaboration defined Baroque Rome

Attitude Toward Science

Friend of Galileo (initially)
Interested in scientific developments
But: ultimately condemned heliocentrism
Embodied Church’s ambivalence toward new science

Death and Legacy

Died defeated (War of Castro)
But artistic legacy endured
Family survived through political marriages
Rome transformed by his patronage

WRITINGS

Major Works

Poetry:

Maphei Cardinalis Barberini poemata (Rome, 1637)
Earlier editions: 1620, 1634 (Antwerp)
Latin, Greek, Italian verse
Subjects: religious and secular

Liturgical compositions:

Hymns for Breviary (feasts of St. Martina, St. Hermenegild, St. Elizabeth of Portugal)
Entire proper Office of St. Elizabeth

Bulls and Briefs:

Numerous documents (see above)
In eminenti (1642) – condemning Jansenism
Sanctissimus Dominus Noster (1625) – on private revelation
Anti-slavery bulls (1638, 1639)

FAMOUS PHRASES

Authentic:

From his poetry (various lines)
Bulls: formal Latin prose

Attributed:

“Quod non fecerunt barbari, fecerunt Barberini” – not his words, but satirical response to his actions
No famous deathbed saying recorded

Inscription on his tomb (Bernini):

Latin epitaph praising his achievements
Standard formula

CONCLUSION

Pope Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini, 1623-1644) was one of the most significant, controversial, and consequential popes of the 17th century. His 21-year pontificate – one of the longest in history – transformed Rome artistically, expanded papal territory militarily, and left deep marks on Church doctrine, liturgy, and missions.

Patron of the arts: He discovered and nurtured Gian Lorenzo Bernini, commissioning masterpieces that still define Baroque Rome: the Baldacchino in St. Peter’s, his own magnificent tomb, the Palazzo Barberini, and countless other works. His patronage made Rome the artistic capital of Europe.

Warrior pope: The last pope to expand papal territory by force (Urbino, 1626), he fortified the Papal States extensively and attempted to maintain military power. His disastrous War of Castro (1641-1644) ended in humiliation, draining the treasury and weakening successors.

Controversial figure: His condemnation of his former friend Galileo (1633) became symbol of Church’s conflict with science. His massive nepotism enriched the Barberini family on a colossal scale (estimated 105 million scudi). His pro-French policy during the Thirty Years’ War arguably weakened the Catholic cause in Germany.

Reformer: He reformed the Breviary, reduced holy days, regulated private revelation, and reserved beatification to the Holy See. He founded the Collegium Urbanum for missionaries, opened China and Japan to all orders, and condemned slavery of indigenous peoples.

Paradox: Cultured and brutal, generous and nepotistic, friend of Galileo who condemned him, lover of beauty who slaughtered birds for disturbing him – Urban VIII embodied the contradictions of the Baroque age. His pontificate marked both the zenith of papal artistic patronage and the beginning of the decline of papal temporal power.

Legacy: Rome today bears his stamp everywhere – the Barberini bees adorn countless buildings, Bernini’s masterpieces draw millions, and the Galileo affair still haunts Church-science relations. He was the last of the “Renaissance popes” who combined political ambition, artistic patronage, and ecclesiastical authority – and the first of the “early modern popes” facing a changing world.

Epitaph (unspoken but true): “He loved beauty, sought power, enriched his family, condemned his friend, and left Rome more beautiful – and the Church more burdened.”

Requiescat in pace – Rest in peace, Urban VIII, last warrior pope, greatest patron of Baroque, complex figure of a turbulent century.

“Quod non fecerunt barbari, fecerunt Barberini” – What the barbarians did not do, the Barberini did.