July 29

Urban II (c. 1035–1099) served as pope from 1088 until his death in 1099. He is best remembered for calling the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont in 1095. His appeal mobilized European knights to journey to the Holy Land and reclaim Jerusalem. Urban’s papacy also addressed church reform and reinforced papal authority over secular rulers. He died while on a tour of southern France but left a lasting impact on medieval Christendom.

Born Maffeo Barberini in 1568, he became Pope Urban VIII in 1623 and led the church until 1644. Urban VIII supported architecture and the arts, commissioning works by Bernini in Rome. His papacy saw the expansion of the Vatican City and the completion of St. Peter's Basilica colonnade. He famously clashed with Galileo Galilei, leading to the scientist's trial and house arrest. Urban's diplomatic efforts included navigating the Thirty Years' War and Church reforms.

Thomas Dick served as a Church of Scotland minister while pursuing a passion for astronomy and natural theology. He wrote popular books such as 'Celestial Scenery' and 'The Christian Philosopher', aiming to reconcile science and religion. Dick's accessible texts introduced readers to the wonders of the universe, covering stars, planets, and the marvels of creation. He advocated for public education in science, emphasizing observational study and moral reflection. As a pioneer of popular science, he inspired 19th-century interest in astronomy and ethical philosophy. His interdisciplinary work bridged faith and empirical inquiry, leaving a lasting impact on science communication.