In 1095, who was the Pope that called for the First Crusade?

In 1095, the Pope who called for the First Crusade was Urban II. His call to arms came during the Council of Clermont, where he delivered a speech that urged Christians to embark on a military campaign to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control. Urban II's appeal was significant because it not only addressed the religious motivations behind the Crusade but also the social and political contexts of the time. He sought to unite Christians against a common enemy while also aiming to mend the schism between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Urban's leadership marked a pivotal moment in medieval history, as it set in motion a series of military expeditions that profoundly impacted Europe and the Mediterranean region.

The other figures mentioned, such as Gregory, Leo IX, and Clement III, were important Popes in their own rights but did not call for the First Crusade. Urban II's specific involvement in this event highlights his role in mobilizing European Christians towards the Crusades.