Succession of Pope Urban IV

Date: August 29, 1261 • Location: Rome, Italy

Pope Urban IV succeeds Pope Alexander IV, becoming the 182nd pope.

Pope Urban IV, born James Pantaleon, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 August 1261 to his death three years later. He was elected pope without being a cardinal; he was the first to be elected in such a way, and this would occur for only 5 more popes afterwards.