# Pope Nicholas III — The Divine Comedy character guide

> Pope Nicholas III in The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Nicholas III, Nicholas

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

## Who they are

Simoniac pope punished head-down in a hole in Hell.

## In the story

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

A simoniac pope punished upside down in a hole, who mistakes Dante for Boniface VIII.

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

Not directly present, but Master Adam refers to the 'false woman who accused Joseph' (Potiphar's wife) and 'the false Sinon, Greek of Troy,' who are both suffering nearby.

## Links

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