Vaticsn - Arignon - 1635 - Quattrino - Pope Urban VIII  was elected pope on August 6, 1623, succeeding Gregory XV. His pontificate coincided with the Thirty Years’ War, during which he pursued a pro-French policy while opposing Habsburg dominance in Italy. He expanded the Papal States, acquiring the Duchy of Urbino in 1626, and engaged in the War of Castro (1642–1644), although this campaign ended in defeat and diminished his popularity .  Urban VIII was also known for nepotism, elevating family members to cardinal positions and enriching the Barberini family  
 
Urban VIII’s papacy left a mixed legacy. He strengthened the Papal States and expanded missionary work, but his lavish spending and nepotism created massive debts, weakening the papacy’s political influence for his successors. He died on July 29, 1644, in Rome, leaving a lasting impact on the arts, Church missions, and European politics