Benoit XII

See also: Benoit

Jacques de Novelles , known as Fournier (towards 1285 - 1342), resulting from a modest family of the Comté of Foix becomes Pape under the name of Benoît XII .

Wire of a Baker of Saverdun, he is monk cistercian with Boulbonne, then with the Abbaye of Fontfroide in his uncle, Arnaud Novelli, which sends it to study with Paris with the college Saint-Bernard. Master in Theology, it succeeds his uncle like abbot of Fontfroide in 1311. Bishop of Pamiers in 1318, it actively carries out to it the fight against the after-effects of the catharism. At this point in time it follows an inquisitorial policy in person very active against the relents of heresy. The registers of its hearings, which it scrupulously holds between 1318 and 1325, were used for the study of the behaviors and mentalities, in particular in Montaillou, village occitan , universally known historical work of Emmanuel Roy Ladurie, according to the translation of the registers carried out by Jean Duvernoy.

In 1326, he becomes bishop of cardinal Mirepoix, and of the title of Holy-Prisque in 1327. That which one calls cardinal white the - because it preserved its dress of cistercian - is an austere and burning man, who intervenes with authority in all the theological debates of the moment: evangelic poverty, fraticelles, beatific vision. On this last point, it will fix the doctrines by its constitution Benedictus Deus in 1336.

Elected official pope the December 20th 1334 with died of Jean XXII, it undertakes vast reforms. He cleanses the system of collation of the benefit and his consequence, the pontifical taxation. He preserves like Camérier Gasbert de Valle, archbishop of Arles, named with this function by his predecessor in 1319. He restores in several religious orders the bases of the ecclesiastical discipline and supports the universities (Toulouse, 1337; Grenoble, 1339).

For possible a Crusade, it works for peace between the Christian kingdoms, in particular between the France and the England, and tries a reconciliation with the emperor excommunicated Louis of Bavaria.

Tried to gain Rome in 1335, it ultimately adapts to remain with Avignon and built the first pontifical palate, whose architectural austerity is a good reflection of its personality. He does not refuse however a certain decoration, and it is him which calls upon the painter Sienan Simone Martini.

External bonds

illustrated Biography of the pope of Avignon Benoit XII

See too

Papacy of Avignon

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