Pope CLEMENT VI

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Entered the Benedictine monastery of La Chaise-Dieu, France at age 10. Studied at the University of Paris. Doctor. Professor. Prior of Saint-Baudile monastery at Nimes. Abbot of Fecamp in Normandy. Bishop of Arras and Chancellor of France in 1328. Archbishop of Sens in 1329. Archbishop of Rouen. Cardinal in 1338 by Pope Benedict XII.

Pope in 1342 with his court in Avignon, which he purchased in 1348 from Joanna I of Naples and Provence on 9 June 1348. Major outbreak the Black Death from 1348-1350; Clement did what he could for sufferers. Fought the wave of anti-Semitism brought on by the plague, and helped protect Jews. Fought with Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV over the annulment of Margaret Maultasch’s marriage. Condemned the Flagellants. Defended the Mendicant friars in 1351 against the accusations of secular prelates. Clement spent extravagantly, held an elegant court, patronized artists, favored his relatives, and was pro-French in all matters; most of the 25 cardinals he created were French, and 12 were his relatives.

Born

1291 in the castle of Maumont, department of Correze, France as Pierre Roger

Papal Ascension

7 May 1342 at Avignon, France

Died

6 December 1352 at Avignon of natural causes; buried at La Chaise-Dieu monastery; grave desecrated and his remains burned by Huguenots in 1562

Canonizations

1347: Saint Ivo of Kermartin

Additional Information

Catholic Encyclopedia
New Catholic Dictionary

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