Issuance of Unam Sanctam

Date: November 18, 1302 • Location: Rome, Italy

Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Unam sanctam, claiming spiritual supremacy for the papacy.

Pope Boniface VIII was head of the Catholic Church and leader of the Papal States from 24 December 1294 until his death in 1303. The Caetani family was of baronial origin with connections to the papacy. He succeeded Pope Celestine V, who had abdicated from the papal throne. Boniface spent his early pontificate abroad in diplomatic roles.