Who he was
Jacques Duèze was taught by the Dominicans of Cahors, studied law and theology at Montpellier and Paris, and taught law before becoming Bishop of Fréjus, chancellor to King Charles II of Naples, and Bishop of Avignon. He was elected at Lyons in August 1316, after the papacy had been vacant for more than two years, and made Avignon his residence. He reigned for eighteen years, much of it in conflict with the Franciscan Spirituals over poverty and with Louis of Bavaria over the imperial crown. He died at Avignon in December 1334.
What he is remembered for
He was a hard-working administrator who reorganised the papal Curia and its finances, founded new dioceses in France and Spain, and supported missions in the Far East. His own decrees became part of Church law, and he formally issued the Clementines. Late in life he put forward a private opinion on when the souls of the just see God, which he withdrew before his death.
Sources
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