Cistercianmonk.
Bishop of Pamiers.
Cardinal.
Third of the Avignonpopes.
Worked to free the papacy from French influence and to return to Rome.
Came to terms with emperor Louis, and with the Franciscans, who were alienated from the Vatican.
He curbed nepotism and monastic excess, condemned "pluralities", evangelized outlying districts, and made appointments strictly on merit.
![[Pope Benedict XII]](pope0197.gif "39kb gif detail of a portrait of Pope Benedict XII, date unknown, artist unknown; swiped off the Wikipedia web site; please do not write to ask about the image")