Pope John XXII, born Jacques Duèze, was a figure of both reverence and controversy, whose papacy from 1316 to 1334 left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church. He was the 196th Pope.
Emerging from the shadows of the Avignon Papacy—a period often referred to as the “Babylonian Captivity” of the Church—John XXII was a man of sharp intellect and unyielding determination. His reign was marked by theological debates, political manoeuvring, and a relentless drive to consolidate papal authority. Yet, beneath the weight of his ecclesiastical duties, John XXII was also a reformer, a scholar, and a patron of the arts, whose legacy is as complex as it is fascinating. Whether admired or critiqued, his influence during a troubled era of Church history remains a compelling chapter in the story of the papacy.
Background and Early Life
Born around 1244 in Cahors, a bustling town in southern France, Jacques Duèze—later Pope John XXII—came from a modest but well-connected family. His father was a shoemaker, a trade that belied the family’s eventual rise to prominence. Jacques displayed an early aptitude for learning, which led him to pursue studies in law and theology at the Universities of Montpellier and Paris.
His sharp mind and legal acumen quickly earned him roles within the Church and royal courts, including serving as a chancellor to the King of Naples. These formative years, steeped in both academic rigor and political intrigue, shaped the future pope into a shrewd administrator and a formidable intellectual, setting the stage for his eventual ascent to the papacy in 1316.
Papacy
Upon his election, Pope John XXII shared half of his predecessor’s wealth (Pope Clement V) with the cardinals who supported him. Known for his strong administrative skills, he reorganized the Church and favored strict governance. John was deeply involved in European politics and religion, often asserting papal authority over non-Catholic leaders. He canonized Louis of Toulouse in 1317 and expressed gratitude to Uzbeg Khan, a Muslim ruler who treated Christians kindly. John is traditionally credited with composing the prayer “Anima Christi” and condemned the writings of Meister Eckhart as heretical in 1329. He also supported education, allowing the establishment of a university in Cahors.
In 1332, John planned to move the papacy to Bologna, but political unrest and a revolt in 1334 forced him to abandon the idea. The papal palace was destroyed, and tensions lingered until his successor, Benedict XII, resolved them.
John died in Avignon on December 4, 1334, at around 90 years old, and was buried in Notre-Dame-des-Doms Cathedral.
Quick Facts About Pope John XIX
- Pope John XXII died on 4 December 1334 (aged 89–90) which made him one of the oldest Popes to serve.
- Pope John XXII was buried in Avignon, at the cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms.
- He was known for reorganizing the Church and implementing strict governance.
- He served as pope from 1316 to 1334 during the Avignon Papacy.
All of the Popes that took the name “John”
There has been 21 popes that have taken the name of John.
John I (St.) (#53) (523 – 526)
John II (#56) (533 – 535)
John III (#61) (561 – 574)
John IV (#72) (640 – 642)
John V (#82) (685 – 686)
John VI (#85) (701 – 705)
John VII (#86) (705 – 707)
John VIII (#108) (872 – 882)
John IX (#117) (898 – 900)
John X (#123) (914 – 928)
John XI (#126) (931 – 935)
John XII (#131) (955 – 963)
John XIII (#134) (965 – 972)
John XIV (#137) (983 – 984)
John XV (#138) (985 – 996)
John XVII (#141) (1003)
John XVIII (#142) (1003 – 1009)
John XIX (#145) (1024 – 1032)
John XXI (#188) (1276 – 1277)
John XXII (#197) (1316 – 1334)
John XXIII (Blessed) (#262) (1958 – 1963)