Benedict XI
pope of the Catholic Church from 1303 to 1304
Feast: 7 July (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Nicholas Boccasini, born at Treviso in 1240, entered the Dominicans at fourteen and became Master General in 1296. Loyal to Pope Boniface VIII, he was made a cardinal in 1298 and served as legate to bring peace to Hungary.
In 1303, when the Pope's enemies seized the papal palace, he was one of only two cardinals who stayed at Boniface's side. He was elected pope, and died suddenly at Perugia on 7 July 1304, possibly poisoned.
The miracles
The Catholic Encyclopedia does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.
Why that counted as sanctity
A Dominican pope remembered for his loyalty and peacemaking.
Connected on this site
- James Benfatti Saint“Benefatti became noted for his tender care of the ill during epidemics of plague and both Pope Benedict XI — a close personal friend — and Pope John XXII held him in high esteem.” — Wikipedia
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - Pope Blessed Benedict XI
- Wikidata Q169301 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Pope Benedict XI (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.