Boniface VIII (1235?-1303) was elected pope in 1294. During his reign, he was often in conflict with King Philip IV of France. In 1301, Boniface and Philip had a dispute over the right of the French king to condemn a bishop. As part of the propaganda war that followed, Boniface issued a famous bull (papal decree) called Unam sanctam. It was the strongest affirmation of papal authority over secular (nonreligious) rulers and all Christians ever issued by a pope. In the bull, Boniface claimed that all human beings must subject themselves to the pope if they wished to be saved. Philip accused Boniface of many crimes and sent an adviser and soldiers to bring the pope to trial. Boniface was seized in Anagni, near Rome. As a result of this experience, his health rapidly declined, and he soon died, on Oct. 11, 1303.
Boniface was probably born in Anagni. His given and family name was Benedetto Gaetani. He studied law and had a long career in papal administration. Although learned, he was impulsive, cruel, and often rash in his judgments.
