Saint of the day for December 19: the story of blessed Pope Urban V

Saint of the day for December 19nd
(1310 - December 19, 1370)

The story of blessed Pope Urban V.

In 1362, the man elected pope declined the post. When the cardinals could not find another person among them for that important office, they turned to a relative stranger: the holy person we honor today.

The new pope Urban V turned out to be a wise choice. A Benedictine monk and canon lawyer, he was deeply spiritual and brilliant. He lived in a simple and modest way, which did not always make him gain friends among the priests accustomed to comfort and privilege. However, he pushed for reform and took care of the restoration of churches and monasteries. Except for a short time, he spent most of his eight years as pope living away from Rome in Avignon, the seat of the papacy from 1309, until shortly after his death.

Urban came close, but was unable to achieve one of his greatest goals: to bring together the Eastern and Western churches.

As pope, Urban continued to follow the Benedictine rule. Shortly before his death in 1370, he asked to be moved from the papal palace to his brother's neighboring house, so that he could say goodbye to the common people he had helped so often.

Reflection

Simplicity in the midst of power and grandeur seems to define this saint, as he reluctantly accepted the papacy but remained a Benedictine monk in his heart. The surroundings must not negatively affect a person.