Benedict XII Biography and Timeline

Abbot

Appointed Abbot of Fontfroide

Role range: 1334-1342

Bishop

Appointed Bishop of Pamiers

Role range: 1334-1342

Pamiers Inquisition Tribunal

As bishop of Pamiers, Jacques Fournier created an inquisitorial tribunal to investigate surviving Cathar beliefs in the Foix region.

Role range: 1334-1342

Bishop

Appointed Bishop of Mirepoix

Role range: 1334-1342

Cardinal

Appointed Cardinal

Election as Pope

The cardinals elected Jacques Fournier pope, and he took the name Benedict XII.

Role range: 1334-1342

Pope

Appointed Pope

Role range: 1334-1342

Takes Papal Name Benedict

Jacques Fournier adopted the papal name Benedict XII upon his election, continuing the Avignon papacy.

Role range: 1334-1342

Enthronement

Benedict XII was formally enthroned after his election to the papacy.

Role range: 1334-1342

Ban on Benefices in Commendam

Benedict restricted the practice of granting benefices in commendam as part of his reform programme.

Role range: 1334-1342

Beatific Vision Commission

Benedict and a commission of theologians spent months examining patristic evidence before defining the doctrine of the beatific vision.

Role range: 1334-1342

Clergy Returned to Benefices

Benedict ordered clerics not required at the papal court to return to their benefices.

Role range: 1334-1342

Condemnation of Pluralities

Benedict opposed clerics holding multiple incompatible benefices and sought stricter discipline in appointments.

Role range: 1334-1342

Consideration of Return to Rome

Benedict considered returning the papal court to Rome but ultimately remained at Avignon.

Role range: 1334-1342

Enforcement of Residence

Benedict enforced rules requiring clergy to reside in the benefices they held.

Role range: 1334-1342

Episcopal Visitation Reform

Benedict reduced the financial burden that episcopal visitations could impose on local clergy.

Role range: 1334-1342

Papal Document Tax Reform

Benedict regulated taxes charged for documents issued by offices of the papal administration.

Role range: 1334-1342

Registry of Supplications

Benedict established the Registry of Supplications to provide better control over petitions submitted to the papal court.

Role range: 1334-1342

Restriction of Nepotism

Benedict largely avoided promoting relatives and granted major preferment to only one close relation.

Role range: 1334-1342

Revocation of Expectances

Benedict revoked many expectative grants that promised church benefices before they became vacant.

Role range: 1334-1342

Roman Church Restoration Funding

Benedict sent money for the restoration of important churches in Rome while the papal court remained at Avignon.

Role range: 1334-1342

Supplication Procedure Reform

Benedict abolished profitable countersigning practices connected with petitions for papal favours.

Role range: 1334-1342

Reviews Monastic Discipline

Benedict XII prepared a programme to improve observance of monastic rules and supervision within religious orders.

Role range: 1334-1342

Examines Church Appointment Practices

The pope scrutinised how ecclesiastical offices were awarded and pressed for more orderly appointments.

Role range: 1334-1342

Investigates Papal Financial Administration

Benedict XII examined papal administrative procedures as part of his effort to curb abuses and strengthen oversight.

Role range: 1334-1342

Benedictus Deus

Benedict issued Benedictus Deus, defining that purified souls enjoy the beatific vision before the Last Judgment.

Role range: 1334-1342

Benedictine Reform Constitution

Benedict issued the constitution commonly called Benedictina to strengthen organization and discipline within the Benedictine order.

Role range: 1334-1342

Cistercian Reform Measures

Benedict XII issued legislation for Cistercian houses, addressing organisation, instruction and the practical observance of monastic discipline.

Role range: 1334-1342

Monastic Education Requirements

Benedict XII required better education within religious orders, connecting scholarly preparation with institutional reform.

Role range: 1334-1342

Clarifies Souls After Death

Through Benedictus Deus, the pope defined the immediate heavenly vision enjoyed by purified souls before the general resurrection.

Role range: 1334-1342

Refusal to Absolve Louis IV

Benedict declared that he could not absolve Louis IV after repeated negotiations failed to produce an acceptable settlement.

Role range: 1334-1342

Anglo-French Peace Efforts

Benedict attempted to prevent war between Edward III of England and Philip VI of France through papal diplomacy.

Role range: 1334-1342

Offers Mediation Between Monarchs

Benedict XII tried to mediate between the kings of England and France as conflict over territories and sovereignty intensified.

Role range: 1334-1342

Papal Envoys Pursue Peace

Papal representatives worked to promote negotiation between rival rulers as the Anglo French dispute escalated into war.

Role range: 1334-1342

Negotiates Imperial Reconciliation

Benedict XII explored a possible accommodation with Emperor Louis IV but could not resolve the longstanding conflict over imperial authority.

Role range: 1334-1342

Responds to German Electors

The pope faced renewed resistance from supporters of Louis IV who asserted imperial rights independently of papal approval.

Role range: 1334-1342

Construction of Papal Palace

Benedict began construction of the major papal palace at Avignon.

Role range: 1334-1342

Eastern Church Union Negotiations

Benedict pursued discussions about reunion with the Eastern Church through an envoy of Emperor Andronikos III.

Role range: 1334-1342

Support for Armenia

Benedict provided aid to the Armenian Church while seeking to address doctrinal and political difficulties there.

Role range: 1334-1342

Support for Iberian Campaign

Benedict encouraged Christian resistance in the Iberian Peninsula after a renewed Muslim invasion.

Role range: 1334-1342