Pope Urban I
bishop of Rome
Years: 170 - 230
Pope Saint Urban I is Pope from 14 October 222 to 230.
Born in Rome, he succeeds St. Callixtus I who had been martyred.
For centuries it was believed that Urban too was martyred.
However, recent historical discoveries now lead scholars to believe that he died of natural causes.
Much of Urban's life is shrouded in mystery, leading to many myths and misconceptions.
Despite the lack of sources he is the first Pope whose reign can be definitely dated.
Two prominent sources do exist for Urban's pontificate: Eusebius' history of the early Church and also an inscription in the Coemeterium Callisti which names the Pope.
Urban ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter in the year of the Roman Emperor Elagabalus' assassination and serves during the reign of Alexander Severus.
It is believed that Urban's pontificate was during a peaceful time for Christians in the Empire as Severus did not promote the persecution of Christianity.
Urban is a canonized saint of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
