A Frenchman from Chatillon sur Marne, born Odo around 1035, Urban II served as Prior of Cluny and Cardinal bishop before being elected Pope on March 12, 1088 at the age of 53. The events of his reign are all the more significant since he had to contend with the anti-pope Clement III at the same time. Clement controled the Eternal City at the time Urban ascended the Throne of St Peter and although the new Pontiff tried to be more diplomatic with Emperor Heinrich IV, it did him little good. There ensued a lengthy period of division between Urban II and Heinrich IV.
Under such conditions, many people probably did not expect great things to come from Urban II, but they would be proven wrong. His Holiness proved to be a major Clunaic reformer of the Church and successfully overcame his enemies and worked for peace and moral unity across Europe. In 1095 came the event Urban II is most famous for: the Council of Clermont. Pope Urban II presided over the assembly and called for a cease-fire across Christendom, and most importantly, a Crusade to retake the Holy Land from the Moslem Turks. The assembled knights jumped to their feet and exclaimed, "God wills it!" and so the First Crusade was launched. The Council of Clermont also forced Clement III from the Papal throne, issued many new reforms and reasserted the Church's power over the Holy Roman Emperors in Church affairs.
Pope Urban II also illustrated one of the ideal benefits of a Christian Europe united by the Church. The Pope was able to serve as the moral watchman of Christendom and excommunicated the King of France for committing adultery. He also extended the "Truce of God" across Europe to prevent the Christian nations from fighting among themselves. He brought a moral unity among the monarchs of Europe that has seldom been achieved. His Holiness also tried to extend his victories in this area to religion as well as politics.
As part of organizing the First Crusade, Urban II also hoped this would serve to reunite the Eastern Orthodox Church with Rome. Of course, this overture of friendship turned out to be futile, and latter Crusades would only drive the division deeper. Nevertheless, the First Crusade looked to be a stunning success. Claiming his power over the keys to Heaven, Pope Urban II declared that any man who took part in the Crusade and died in the service of Christ would be instantly forgiven of their sins and be welcomed by angels into the Kingdom of Heaven, despite was crimes they may have previously committed. Thousands took up the cross and marched on Palestine in answer to the Pope's decree. Jerusalem fell just two weeks before Urban II died after reigning 11 years, 4 months and 17 days. |
