|
||
Name:
Pope Benedict XIII
Born: Vincenzo Marco Orsini
Preceded by: Innocent XIII (1721 - 1724)
Succeeded by: Clement XII (1730 - 1740)
Roman Catholic Pope #246
Dates:
Born: February 2, 1649 (Italy)
Died: February 21, 1730
Pope: May 29, 1724 - February 21, 1730 (5 years)
Biography:
A Dominican monk who continued to live as a friar even after his election, Pope Benedict
XIII was the last pope to ever hold two diocese at the same time (Rome and Benevento).
Perhaps one of the reasons why this has never occurred since is that Benedict's associates
from Benevento formed a tight-knit group around him, engaging in corrupt practices and
generally ruining Benedict's reputation and papacy. One in particular, Niccolo Coscia,
made a great deal of money in selling church offices and taking bribes. He and his associates
had little interest in anything other than enriching themselves.
By all accounts, however, Benedict himself was personally beyond reproach. He was more frugal than any of his predecessors and, as a friar, continued throughout his papacy to visit the sick and dying and minister to the poor. It is a pity that someone who could personally exemplify many of the best Christian ideals even when exalted to such a position of power and temptation could nevertheless surround himself with such corrupted and low associates.
At the same time, Benedict was also rather naive and tactless when it came to political affairs. For example, he caused an international incident when he made a point to proclaim a Feast Day for St. Gregory VII. Gregory had deposed the Holy Roman Emeror, an act which was still a sore spot for many through Europe. Benedict's poor understanding of how to handle secular leaders, when combined with the poor reputation of his associates, led to him developing and increasingly bad reputation and a general weakening of papal interests in areas like Siciliy and Sardina.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
-->Popes and the Papacy: History, Doctrines, News About Popes
The pope may be the most visible and famous symbol of the Catholic Church. It is the office of the papacy and the assumed link back to the original apostles that differentiates Roman Catholicism from other Christian denominations. The office of the papacy is rather complicated and, much to the chagrin of believers, comes with a rather checkered past.Pope John Paul II: Biography, History, and Policies
John Paul II has been one of the longest-lived and most influential popes in the history of the Catholic Church. For good or for ill, his policies and personality have helped shape not only the current character of Catholicism but also the direction Catholicism will take for generations to come. Because of that, it's important to take the time to carefully consider what his policies have been and how they have affected Catholics around the world.Electing the Next Pope: Index of Resources on Papal Elections
Every human is mortal, and that includes popes. Some live and reign for extraordinarily long times while others only serve for a few days, but in the end all die and a new pope must be elected. How are papal elections run? A papal election is a process that is shrouded in secrecy; the details of any one election are supposed to be kept hidden, but general information is known.Book Reviews: Roman Catholic Popes, Papacy, History
Who or what is the pope? The title pope stems from the Greek word papas, which simply means "father." Early in Christian history it was used as a formal title expressing affectionate respect for any bishop and sometimes even priests. Today it continues to be used in Eastern Orthodox churches for the patriarch of Alexandria.
