Pope Benedict XI


Benedict XI
Bishop of Rome
A 1352 fresco by Tommaso da Modena at the church of Saint Nicholas in Treviso
ChurchCatholic Church
Papacy began22 October 1303
Papacy ended7 July 1304
PredecessorBoniface VIII
SuccessorClement V
Previous post(s)
Orders
Ordination1300
ConsecrationMarch 1300
Created cardinal4 December 1298
by Boniface VIII
Personal details
Born
Nicola Boccasini

1240
Treviso, Italy
Died7 July 1304(1304-07-07) (aged 63–64)
Perugia, Papal States
MottoIllustra faciem Tuam super servum Tuum
(Latin for 'Let Your Face shine upon Your servant')
Coat of armsBenedict XI's coat of arms
Sainthood
Feast day7 July
Beatified24 April 1736
Rome, Papal States
by Pope Clement XII
Attributes
PatronageTreviso
Other popes named Benedict

Pope Benedict XI (Latin: Benedictus PP. XI; 1240 – 7 July 1304), born Nicola Boccasini (Niccolò of Treviso), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 22 October 1303 to his death, in 7 July 1304.[1]

Boccasini entered the Order of Preachers in his native Treviso. He studied at Venice and Milan before becoming a teacher in Venice and in other Dominican houses. He served two terms as Provincial Prior of Lombardy, before being elected Master of the Order in 1296. Two years later he was made cardinal. He was appointed Bishop of Ostia, and served as papal legate first to Hungary, and then to France. He was with Pope Boniface VIII when Boniface was attacked by French forces at Anagni.

He was beatified with his cultus confirmed by Pope Clement XII in 1736. He is a patron of Treviso.

  1. ^ Conradus Eubel, Hierarchia catholica medii aevi I editio altera (Monasterii 1913), p. 13.