Pope Urban IV - Definition and Overview

Urban IV, né Jacques Pantaléon (ca. 1195 - October 2, 1264), pope (1261-1264), was the son of a cobbler of Troyes, France, studied theology and common law in Paris, became bishop of Verdun, was employed in various missions by Innocent IV, and was made Patriarch of Jerusalem by Alexander IV. He was at Viterbo seeking help for the oppressed Christians in the East when the last-named pope died, and after a three months' vacancy he was chosen to succeed him (August 29, 1261).

As pope he endeavoured, but without success, to stir up a new crusade on behalf of his former diocese of Jerusalem. In domestic matters the chief problems of his pontificate arose out of the competing claims for the crown of the Two Sicilies. Before the arrival of Charles of Anjou, the candidate whom he favoured, Urban died at Perugia on October 2, 1264. His successor was Clement IV. The festival of Corpus Christi ("the Body of Christ") was instituted by Urban IV in 1264.

from the 9th edition (1880) of an unnnamed encyclopedia