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Why did some Spiritual Franciscans oppose Pope Boniface VIII?
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Boniface VIII
Miniature of Pope Boniface VIII from Vaticinia de Pontificibus (an index of prophecies of the popes), c. 14th century; in the British Library, London.
Some Spiritual Franciscans opposed Pope Boniface VIII primarily due to his treatment of his predecessor, Pope Celestine V.1
After Celestine V resigned his papacy to return to his life as a hermit, Boniface VIII interned the elderly former pope in the castle of Fumone, where he subsequently died. Although Celestine died of natural causes, his death was viewed with deep suspicion by his supporters, including many Spiritual Franciscans—a group committed to the literal observance of the poverty prescribed by St. Francis of Assisi.12
These Franciscans, such as the poet Jacopone da Todi, engaged in propaganda and opposition against Boniface VIII, with some even suffering imprisonment under his authority.1