Who he was
Niccolò Boccasini entered the Dominicans at fourteen, taught theology, and in 1296 was elected Master General of the order, in which office he required his friars to stand by Boniface VIII. Boniface made him a cardinal in 1298 and later Bishop of Ostia, and sent him as legate to make peace in Hungary. At Anagni in 1303 he was one of only two cardinals who stayed at the side of Boniface when the pope was seized. Elected unanimously a month after Boniface's death, he reigned eight months and died suddenly at Perugia.
What he is remembered for
He made peace with the French court, lifting the censures on King Philip IV while still summoning those responsible for the outrage at Anagni to answer for it. He wrote sermons and commentaries on parts of Scripture. He has been beatified, and his feast is kept on 7 July in Rome and by the Dominicans.
He is honoured by the Church as Blessed. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
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