What was pope Urban's point of view of the crusades?

Pope Urban II viewed the Crusades as a holy mission to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control and to aid the Byzantine Empire against Turkish advances. He believed that participating in the Crusades would not only restore Christian access to sacred sites but also serve as an opportunity for spiritual purification and the remission of sins for those who fought. Urban's call for the First Crusade in 1095 was framed as a way to unite Christians under a common cause, emphasizing the religious and moral imperatives behind the campaign.