# Pope Boniface VIII — The Divine Comedy character guide

> Pope Boniface VIII in The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Boniface VIII, Boniface, Pope Boniface, the Pope

**First appearance:** 0021-canto-xix

## Who they are

Corrupt pope condemned in Hell for simony.

## Relationships

### [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri)

_rivalry_

Dante condemns Pope Boniface VIII as a corrupt figure destined for Hell, creating a hostile dynamic.

### [Sordello](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/sordello)

_rivalry_

Pope Boniface VIII is condemned by Dante and Sordello as a corrupt church leader, creating antagonism.

### [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri)

_rivalry_

Dante condemns Pope Boniface VIII as a corrupt figure destined for Hell, creating a hostile dynamic.

### [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri)

_rivalry_

Dante condemns Pope Boniface VIII as a corrupt figure destined for Hell, creating a hostile dynamic.

### [Sordello](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/sordello)

_rivalry_

Pope Boniface VIII is condemned by Dante and Sordello as a corrupt church leader, creating antagonism.

## In the story

### [Canto XIX: The Simoniacs and Pope Nicholas III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xix)

Mentioned by Nicholas III as the next simoniac pope to be punished.

### [Canto XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxvii)

The corrupt pope who sought Guido's counsel and promised absolution in advance, leading to Guido's damnation.

### [Canto XXVIII: The Ninth Bolgia of the Schismatics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxviii)

Referenced indirectly through the prophecy of Pier da Medicina regarding the betrayal of Guido and Angiolello by a one-eyed tyrant.

### [Canto XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxxiii)

Mentioned indirectly through the context of betrayal and corruption.

### [Canto XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xi)

Implied in the critique of corrupt church leadership, though not named directly.

### [Canto XXVII: St. Peter's Reproof and the Ascent to the Primum Mobile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxvii)

Implicitly condemned by St. Peter as the usurper who has defiled the papacy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/pope_boniface_viii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters