Bonifice VIII - 1294 - 1303 - Pope Bonifice VIII was a
controversial fourteenth century pope. When Philip IV intended to
tax the clergy, Bonifice responded that clergy could not pay taxes
in any state without papal consent. The power struggle underscored
the inherent tension between the powerful European monarchs and the
supreme papal authority. Bonifice wrote a series of letters to
solidify his argument. One of them was the Unam Sanctam, see
below, which he wrote in 1302. Bonifice intended to
excommunicate Phillip, however Philip conspired to have the pope
brought on charges of heresy. Eventually the pope was captured,
freed again, and then killed by conspirators who were incited to the
action by Philip.
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