Blessed Benedict XI

Q: Who was Blessed Benedict XI before becoming pope?

Before becoming pope in 1303, Blessed Benedict XI was Niccolò Boccasini, who entered the Dominican order in 1254 and became its general in May 1296. He was created a cardinal in 1298 and was appointed legate to Hungary in 1302. He was one of two cardinals who stood by Pope Boniface VIII on September 7, 1303, when the pope, who was about to excommunicate King Philip IV of France, was seized by the king’s supporters in an attempt to depose him from the papacy . Boniface was freed by the local populace but died shortly thereafter, and Boccasini succeeded him, becoming Benedict XI.

Q: What was a major issue during Benedict XI’s papacy?

A major issue during Benedict XI’s papacy was dealing with the problems inherited from the quarrel between his predecessor, Pope Boniface VIII , and King Philip IV of France and his allies, the Colonna family of Rome . The dispute between Boniface and Philip had escalated, resulting in Boniface being kidnapped in an attempt to depose him. Benedict’s papacy was taken up with trying to appease the king. He reigned from 1303 to 1304, and his death is believed to have been caused by poisoning.

Q: How did Benedict XI die?

Blessed Benedict XI, who began his reign as pope in October 1303, died suddenly in Perugia , Italy, in July 1304. Many at the time believed he was poisoned. Benedict was elected pope during a power struggle between the Roman papacy and King Philip IV of France, whose chief adviser had arranged for Benedict’s predecessor, Boniface VIII , to be kidnapped. After Benedict died, he was succeeded by Clement V , who largely appeased the French king and became the first pope to rule from Avignon , France, ushering in the Avignon papacy (1309–77).

pope

Also known as: Niccolò Boccasini

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History

Who was Blessed Benedict XI before becoming pope?

What was a major issue during Benedict XI’s papacy?

How did Benedict XI die?

Blessed Benedict XI (born 1240, Treviso, March of Trevigiana [Italy]—died July 7, 1304, Perugia, Umbria; beatified April 24, 1736; feast day July 7) was the pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, from 1303 to 1304. His brief reign was preoccupied with problems he inherited from the quarrel of his predecessor, Boniface VIII, with King Philip IV the Fair of France and the king’s allies (the Colonna family of Rome).

Quick Facts

Born: 1240, Treviso, March of Trevigiana (Italy)
Died: July 7, 1304, Perugia, Umbria
Reign as pope: October 22, 1303–July 7, 1304
Preceded by: Pope Boniface VIII
Succeeded by: Pope Clement V

Niccolò Boccasini entered the Dominican order in 1254, becoming its general in May 1296. Created a cardinal in 1298, he was appointed legate to Hungary in 1302. He was one of two cardinals who stood by Boniface VIII at his palace at Anagni, near Rome, on September 7, 1303, when the pope, about to excommunicate Philip, was seized by the king’s supporters, who sought to depose him from the papacy. The pope was freed by the local populace but died shortly thereafter. The quarrel had originated over the king’s wish to wrest taxes from the French clergy. The Colonna family had become allies of Philip because they viewed the growing power of the pope’s family as a threat to their own.

Benedict was unanimously elected pope on October 22, 1303, and he did much to conciliate his predecessor’s enemies. While he demanded no retribution for the outrage done to Boniface at Anagni, he refused to pardon both Sciarra Colonna, who led the attack, and Guillaume de Nogaret, Philip’s chief adviser, who denounced Boniface at Paris in 1303. Benedict died suddenly in Perugia, and many at the time believed he was poisoned. The pontificate of his successor, Clement V, marked the beginning of the Avignon papacy (1309–77), a period in which the church ruled from France instead of Rome.