asbuilt
15 posts



The title of the shortest reigning pope has to go to Pope Urban VII. After Sixtus V died in 1590, Cardinal Castagna was elected by the conclave as Pope Urban VII.
As a man with an excellent reputation for prudence, decency, and piety, the people adored him and had high hopes for what he would achieve.
These hopes weren’t unfounded, as Urban VII immediately went to work giving to the poor of Rome, providing for cash-starved cardinals, and even ordering all the bakers of Rome to sell larger loaves for cheaper, covering the costs himself.
He even implemented the world’s first “smoking ban” by threatening anyone who smoked or chewed tobacco at church with ex-communication. After 12 very successful days, he died of malaria. He never even made it to the papal coronation!

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