Pope Urban II

Pope Urban II, otherwise known as Odo of Châtillon or Otho de Lagery, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 March 1088 to his death. He is best known for convening the Council of Clermont, which ignited the series of Catholic military expeditions known as the Crusades. A native of France and descendant of a noble family from the French commune of Châtillon-sur-Marne, Urban was grand prior of Cluny and bishop of Ostia before his papacy; as pope he dealt with Antipope Clement III, the infighting of various Christian nations, and Turkish invasions into Anatolia. In 1095 he began preaching for the First Crusade, promising forgiveness and pardon for the past sins of those who would fight to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslims and free the Eastern churches.