Pope Blessed Benedict XI (1240 – July 7, 1304), born Nicola Boccasini, was Pope from 1303 to 1304. Born in Treviso, he succeeded Pope Boniface VIII (1294–1303), but was unable to carry out his policies. Benedict XI was a Dominican and when he was made Master of the Order in 1296, he issued ordinances forbidding public questioning of the legitimacy of Boniface VIII's election on the part of any Dominican. At the time of the seizing of Pope Bon...