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Pope Urban II (Latin: Urbanus II), born Odo of Châtillon or Otho de Lagery, was Pope from 12 March 1088 to his death in 1099. Before his papacy he was the Bishop of Ostia under the name Eudes. He is best known for initiating the First Crusade (1096–99) and setting up the modern-day Roman Curia in the manner of a royal ecclesiastical court to help run the Church. He promised those that would fight to get the Holy land back and free the eastern churches that they would be forgiven/pardon of all their sins.
Pope Urban II was a native of France. He was a descendant of a noble family in Châtillon-sur-Marne.
Urban II died on 29 July 1099, fourteen days after the fall of Jerusalem to the Crusaders, but before news of the event had reached Italy; his successor was Pope Paschal II. He was beatified in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII with his feast day on 29 July. | 
