Pope Benedict XIII
Pope Benedict XIII reigned from 1724 to 1730, was personally saintly, and allowed his household to be plundered. Born Pietro Francesco Orsini at Gravina in Apulia in 1649, he was the eldest son of a duke and heir to the Orsini title, and entered the Dominican order at eighteen against his family's furious opposition, renouncing his inheritance. He was made a cardinal at twenty-three through family influence, which he had not sought, and served as Archbishop of Manfredonia, Cesena and finally Benevento for over thirty years. He was an exemplary bishop — resident, visiting his parishes constantly, rebuilding after two earthquakes, and living in genuine austerity. He was elected in 1724 after a conclave of two months, and accepted only when instructed to do so under obedience by the head of his order. As pope he continued to live as a friar, kept the Dominican habit and diet, refused most ceremonial, held synods, and concerned himself with clerical discipline and liturgy. He personally administered confirmation and ordained priests, and reduced expenditure on the papal court. He had no interest in administration or politics and left both to Niccolò Coscia, whom he had brought from Benevento and made a cardinal. Coscia and his associates sold offices, benefices and favours on a systematic scale, drained the treasury, and were widely detested; Benedict refused to believe accusations against him. He confirmed the bull Unigenitus and required its acceptance, and permitted the Chinese Rites question to be reopened briefly. He died in February 1730, and Coscia fled Rome. The next pope prosecuted him.
- Lived: 1649 CE – 1730 CE
- Nationality: Italian
- Roles: pope, cleric
