Cardinal Giovanni Battista Barberini (1597-1644) was an influential figure in the Roman Catholic Church during the 17th century. Born into the prominent Barberini family, he was the nephew of Pope Urban VIII, who reigned from 1623 to 1644. Giovanni Battista held various ecclesiastical positions, including the Archbishop of Florence and later became a cardinal in 1623. As a cardinal, Barberini played a significant role in the politics of the Church and was involved in various diplomatic missions. He was known for his patronage of the arts, supporting artists like Gian Lorenzo Bernini and contributing to the cultural development of Rome. His legacy includes both his ecclesiastical contributions and his impact on the artistic landscape of the time.