(1235?–1303). The papacy of Boniface VIII (1294–1303) came at an unfortunate time when the nation-states of Europe, particularly France and England, were emerging as powerful political forces. The pope was convinced that the church ought to be the supreme power in Europe politically as well as spiritually. In his determination to enforce his policies, Boniface came into conflict with King Philip IV of France, who insisted on treating the church within his domain as a part of his kingdom, rather than the pope's. Boniface responded to Philip in 1302 with a papal decree, ‘Unam Sanctam' (One Holy), which restated the supremacy of the church over earthly powers. He also claimed that Albert I, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, was the true sovereign of France. Philip retaliated by having Boniface kidnapped and tortured. The pope returned to Rome, broken in body and mind, and died a few days later. Boniface was born Benedetto Caetani in Anagni, Italy. He studied law and later held a series of posts in the papal court. He was a strong personality who, as a cardinal, encouraged Pope Celestine V to resign. Boniface became pope and had the aging Celestine imprisoned in the castle of Fumone, where he soon died. Among the achievements of Boniface VIII's papacy were the publication of a part of the Corpus Juris Canonici (Body of Canon Law) and the institution of the Jubilee of 1300, the first holy year. |