Saint Urban I was elected as the seventeenth Pope of the Catholic Church in AD 222, pursuing the demise of Pope Callixtus I. He shepherded the Church during the reign of the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus. Severus did not unleash persecution against Christians like the Emperors before him. The reign of Pope Urban was hence filled with peace and conducive growth of Christianity.

Though not much is known about his early life, historical records attests that he was born in Rome in AD175 and his fathers name was Pontianus.

The Church expanded in Rome and in the other regions of the Roman Empire owing to the period of freedom and peace enjoyed by the Church during the papacy of Saint Urban I.

History witnesses that it was Saint Urban I who caused the conversion of the husband of Saint Cecilia of Sienna. This conversion inturn led many others into the Catholic Church.

Though it was a time of growth for the church, Pope Urban I’s papacy was not rid of challenges. Saint Hippolytus, who became the first anti-pope during the reign of Pope Callixtus I, and his followers, maintained the same sense of indifference to Pope Urban. The pope displayed the same attitude that his predecessor had towards Hippolytus and his followers.

Almachius, the Roman leader beheaded Saint Cicily and accused Pope Urban I of conspiring with the Saint to convert about 5000 people. The Pope was subsequently imprisoned for the charges. While imprisoned, the passionate Shepherd worked towards conversion and baptised the jailers and several inmates.

Almachius then forced Pope Urban I to worship the Roman god. But the pontiff who could not give into such a compulsion, prayed to God. As a result of his prayer, the statue of the Roman god fell down and 22 heathen priests were crushed under it. Despite being brutally persecuted, the Pope refused to worship the Roman gods.

Legend says that Almachius then sentenced him to death and beheaded him. There is a conflicting report on whether the Pope was murdered or died a natural death. It is now believed that Saint Urban I, died of natural causes after the martyrdom of Saint Cicily.
-edit & trans. SM