John XXII
Pope John XXII, born Jacques Duèze, was the second and longest-reigning Avignon Pope, serving from 1316 to 1334. He centralized papal power and income, lived a princely life in Avignon, and engaged in significant conflicts with Emperor Louis IV the Bavarian and the Franciscan order over issues of papal authority and the poverty of Christ. John XXII is also known for canonizing Thomas Aquinas and for his controversial sermons on the beatific vision.
Key Facts
- ›Born Jacques Duèze in 1244, son of a Cahorsin merchant or banker.
- ›Studied canon law at Montpellier and theology in Paris.
- ›Served as Bishop of Fréjus and later Bishop of Avignon before becoming a cardinal.
- ›Elected Pope John XXII in 1316, continuing the Avignon Papacy.
- ›Canonized Thomas Aquinas on July 18, 1323.
- ›Died in Avignon on December 4, 1334, aged 89 or 90.
Ioannes XXII, Giovanni XXII, Jean XXII
Canon Law, Papal Authority, Poverty of Christ, Beatific Vision, Witchcraft Suppression
- Centralized Power and Income In the Papacy
- Opposed Policies of Holy Roman Emperor Louis Iv the Bavarian
- Promulgated Papal Bulls On Franciscan Poverty
- Canonized Thomas Aquinas
- Issued Papal Bull 'Super Illius Specula' Concerning Witchcraft Suppression
Avignon Papacy, Louis Iv the Bavarian, Nicholas V, William of Ockham, Thomas Aquinas, Franciscan Order, Edward Ii of England, Sorbonne
About John XXII
Pope John XXII
Pope John XXII, born Jacques Duèze in 1244, was the second and longest-reigning Pope of the Avignon Papacy, serving from August 7, 1316, until his death on December 4, 1334. His pontificate was characterized by a strong assertion of papal authority and a desire to centralize power and income within the Papacy, mirroring the style of his predecessor, Clement V. He lived a princely life in Avignon, a departure from the traditional papal seat in Rome.
Life and Historical Context
Born into a family of merchants or bankers in Cahors, Jacques Duèze received extensive legal and theological education. He pursued a career in canon law, teaching in Toulouse and serving as a counselor to bishops before his ecclesiastical appointments. He rose through the ranks, becoming Bishop of Fréjus, then Bishop of Avignon, and finally a Cardinal-Bishop of Porto-Santa Rufina. His election as Pope followed a two-year interregnum caused by disagreements among the cardinals. His reign occurred during a period of significant political and religious tension in Europe.
Major Contributions and Conflicts
John XXII was an efficient administrator who sought to reorganize the Catholic Church and was known for his regulatory approach to governance. He actively involved himself in the politics of various European countries to advance papal interests. A significant conflict arose with Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV the Bavarian, whom John XXII opposed, leading Louis to invade Italy and install an antipope, Nicholas V. John also engaged in a notable dispute with the Franciscan order over their understanding of the poverty of Christ and his apostles, issuing several papal bulls that enforced his views and prompted influential figures like William of Ockham to write against unlimited papal power.
John XXII is credited with canonizing Thomas Aquinas on July 18, 1323, a significant event in the history of Catholic theology. He also introduced the Corpus Christi procession in Orvieto and sent a letter of thanks to the Muslim ruler Özbeg Khan for his tolerance of Christians. However, his pontificate was also marked by controversy, particularly his sermons on the beatific vision, which suggested that the blessed did not see God until the Last Judgment, a view he later retracted. Furthermore, his reign saw a notable shift in papal attitudes towards witchcraft, with his papal bull 'Super illius specula' in 1326 officially declaring witchcraft heresy and subject to trial by the Inquisition.
Legacy
Pope John XXII's pontificate left a complex legacy. He is remembered for his strong administrative capabilities and his efforts to consolidate papal power, which solidified the Avignon Papacy's prominence. His theological and political stances, particularly his conflicts with the Emperor and the Franciscans, had lasting repercussions. His canonization of Thomas Aquinas remains a pivotal moment in the Church's recognition of influential theologians.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pope John XXII reign?
Pope John XXII reigned from August 7, 1316, until his death on December 4, 1334. This made him the second and longest-reigning Avignon Pope.
What were the main conflicts during John XXII's papacy?
John XXII famously opposed the policies of Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV the Bavarian, which led to Louis's invasion of Italy and the establishment of an antipope. He also clashed with the Franciscan understanding of poverty, issuing several papal bulls to enforce his views.
Did John XXII canonize anyone?
Yes, Pope John XXII canonized Thomas Aquinas on July 18, 1323, following a three-year process of investigation and review.
What was the beatific vision controversy involving John XXII?
John XXII delivered controversial sermons suggesting that the souls of the faithful did not see the presence of God until the Last Judgment. This position was opposed by the Faculty of Theology at the Sorbonne and he retracted his views shortly before his death.
What was John XXII's role in witchcraft suppression?
John XXII officially declared witchcraft to be heresy in his 1326 papal bull 'Super illius specula.' This bull warned against learning, teaching, or performing magic, and stated that those who did not heed the warning would face excommunication, allowing witchcraft cases to be tried under the Inquisition.
Related Popes
Clement V
Pope Clement V, born Bertrand de Got, was head of the Catholic Church from 1305 until his death in 1314. A Frenchman, he is primarily remembered for moving the Papacy from Rome to Avignon, initiating the Avignon Papacy, and for suppressing the order of the Knights Templar, which led to the execution of many of its members.
Gregory XI
Gregory XI was the seventh and last Avignon pope, and the most recent French pope. He is primarily known for returning the papal court to Rome in 1377, ending nearly 70 years of papal residency in Avignon. His death shortly thereafter precipitated the Western Schism.
Innocent VI
Pope Innocent VI, born Étienne Aubert, was the fifth Avignon Pope and ruled from 1352 to 1362. A former civil law professor, he introduced significant reforms in church administration and aimed to restore order in Rome through his legate Cardinal Albornoz. His papacy was marked by financial challenges stemming from wars and plague, leading him to economize and sell artworks.