Pope Boniface VIII
Pope Boniface VIII (Latin: Bonifacius Octavus; c. 1230 – October 11, 1303), born Benedetto Caetani, was an Italian cleric of the Roman Catholic Church and the 194th Pope from 1294 to 1303.[1]
Boniface VIII | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Papacy began | December 24, 1294 |
| Papacy ended | October 11, 1303 |
| Predecessor | Pope Celestine V |
| Successor | Pope Benedict XI |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Benedetto Caetani |
| Born | 1235 Anagni, Papal States |
| Died | October 11, 1303 Rome |
| Other popes named Boniface | |
Early life
Benedetto Caetani was born in 1235 at Anagni in Italy.[2] Caetani studied at Todi and at Spoleto where he earned a degree in law.[2] He came from a very noble family.[3] His family was in government.
In 1265, Caetani traveled with Cardinal Ottobuono Fieschi to England.[2]
Cardinal
In 1281, Pope Martin IV raised Caetani to the rank of cardinal. In 1291, Pope Nicholas IV made him Cardinal of SS. Silvestro e Martino ai Monti.[2]
Pope
Cardinal Caetani was elected in 1294;[4] and he chose to be called Boniface VIII.[5]
Pope Boniface confirmed the decree of Pope Celestine V that any pope can freely resign.[6]
Boniface was involved in Italian and European political disputes.[2]
Boniface VIII made a rule that if a ruler (king) fined people taxes without the church or popes' permission that the ruler would be excluded from the church. He would make rash decisions without consideration. He was known to be harsh, mean, cruel, and did not listen to other people's recommendations. For example, He declared a very rash papal law that all people, not just Christians, must follow him if they want to go to heaven. He believed as the Pope, all rulers should bow down to him and respect him.[7]
After his death
Dante mentions Boniface in The Inferno. He identifies the pope as "the Prince of the new Pharisees."[8]
Related pages
References
Other reading
- Boase, Thomas Sherrer Ross. (1933). Boniface VIII. London: Constable. OCLC 1387650
Other websites
Media related to Bonifacius VIII at Wikimedia Commons
. Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.- Catholic Hierarchy, Pope Boniface VII
- Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Caetani Archived 2015-06-06 at the Wayback Machine
| Preceded by Celestine V | Pope 1294–1303 | Succeeded by Benedict XI |
