Pope Urban II

Pope Urban II was the leader of the Roman Catholic Church from 1088 to 1099, best known for initiating the First Crusade in 1095. He called for European Christians to unite and reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control, promising spiritual rewards and forgiveness of sins for those who participated. His rallying speech at the Council of Clermont ignited widespread enthusiasm for the Crusade, leading to a series of religious wars. Urban's call significantly shaped medieval Europe’s religious and political landscape and influenced Christian-Muslim relations for centuries to come.