Pope Benedict XI

Timeline

1. 1240–1298Treviso · VenetoBorn to a humble family in Treviso, he entered the Dominican Order and studied at Bologna and elsewhere, serving as a professor of theology and as Archbishop of Bologna; raised to cardinal in 1298, he won a reputation in the papal court for piety, learning, and a conciliatory stance, laying the groundwork for his later election as pope.
2. 1298–1300Rome · LazioAfter being raised to cardinal in 1298 he took a deep part in papal government, often acting as a mediator when relations between Boniface VIII and the rulers of various kingdoms were tense; active in the inner circle of the papal court during the Roman Jubilee of 1300, he played an important role in papal diplomacy and the internal unity of the Church.
3. 1303–1304Perugia · UmbriaElected after the death of Boniface VIII in October 1303, he took the name Benedict XI. He revoked some of the excommunications against France and sought reconciliation with Philip IV, and also canonized Franciscan saints; but his reign lasted only about eight months, and he died in Perugia in July 1304, failing to halt the long-term deterioration of relations between the papacy and France.