Pope Benedict XI
Pope Benedict XI (Latin: Benedictus Undecimus; 1240–7 July 1304), born Nicholas Boccasini, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 195th Pope from 1303 to 1304.[1]
Benedict XI | |
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| Papacy began | 22 October 1303 |
| Papacy ended | 7 July 1304 |
| Predecessor | Pope Boniface VIII |
| Successor | Pope Clement V |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Nicholas Boccasini |
| Born | 1240 |
| Died | 7 July 1304 (aged 63-64) |
| Other popes named Benedict | |
Early life
Dominican monk
In 1254, Boccasini became a Dominican friar at the age of 14.[2] He rose in the ranks of the Order; and was elected General or Master of the Order of Preachers in 1296.[3]
Cardinal
Pope Boniface VIII raised Boccasini to the rank of cardinal.[2] In 1298, he was named Cardinal of Santa Sabina.[3]
In 1300, Cardinal Boccasini was named Bishop of Ostia and Velletri.[3]
In 1302, he was the diplomatic representative of Boniface VIII in Hungary.[3]
Pope
Cardinal Boccasini was elected pope on October 22, 1303;[4] and he chose to be called Benedict XI.[5] He was pope for only eight months.
Benedict was a supporter of the Ultamontane policies of Pope Boniface VIII.[6]
In a conciliatory gesture, Benedict released the King of France from excommunication.[3]
Beatification
Select works
Benedict XI was the author of a volume of sermons and commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew, on the Psalms, the Book of Job, and John's Apocalypse.
Related pages
References
Other websites
Media related to Benedictus XI at Wikimedia Commons
. Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.- "St. Benedict XI., Pope and Confessor", Butler's Lives of the Saints
- Catholic Hierarchy, Pope Benedict XI
- Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Boccasini
| Preceded by Boniface VIII | Pope 1303–1304 | Succeeded by Clement V |