CLEMENT VI, POPE. — Peter Roger, born in 1291 at Maumont (Corrèze) to Guglielmo, lord of Rosière, and Guglielmetta of Mestre. At the age of ten, he entered the Benedictine monastery of Chaise-Dieu. Licensed in theology (25 May 1323), he became abbot of Fécamp (23 June 1326), bishop of Arras (3 Dec. 1328), archbishop of Sens (24 Nov. 1329), from which he was transferred to Rouen (14 Dec. 1330), and was created cardinal with the title of SS. Nereo e Achilleo (18 Dec. 1338). Highly esteemed by Philip VI for his profound learning, uncommon eloquence, and steadfast loyalty, he became keeper of the seals and chancellor. Upon the death of Benedict XII (25 Apr. 1342), the cardinals, confident of pleasing the king of France, elected him unanimously after only three days of conclave (7 May 1342).
Unlike his peaceful, austere, imperious, and frugal predecessor, Clement was energetic, accommodating, generous—even prodigal—fond of luxury, and liberal with both relatives and subjects alike; yet he was also charitable. Having quickly exhausted the reserves accumulated by his predecessors, he intensified papal taxation, arousing opposition especially in Germany and England. Lacking sufficient funds, he could not adequately support his Italian policy. In Rome, which had been reduced almost to a village, he initially favored Cola di Rienzo’s attempt, but soon grew weary of it, so much so that the papal legate was able to excommunicate him (15 Dec. 1347). In 1350, he proclaimed the Jubilee Year, setting its celebration every fifty years.
He sought to remedy the dire conditions of the Papal States’ provinces with a military expedition led by Astorgio di Dufort (1350–51), but the enterprise ended in utter failure. Bologna was purchased by Giovanni Visconti under the very eyes of the papal legate (16 Oct. 1350). The ensuing conflict with the Visconti soon ended in exhaustion (28 July 1352). Greater success attended the league he formed with Venice, Cyprus, and the Hospitallers against the Turks, which led to the capture of Smyrna and the victory at Imbros (1344–47).
He successfully concluded the struggle against Louis the Bavarian, who was deposed (13 Apr. 1346) and replaced by Charles IV of Luxembourg. He absolved Joanna of Naples from the charge of having caused the death of her first husband, Andrew of Hungary, and permitted her marriage to her cousin Louis of Taranto. During the great plague of 1348, which claimed millions of victims across Europe, Clement remained in Avignon, where 60,000 died; he multiplied both spiritual and material aid. He defended the Jews, whom the common people blamed for the plague. He died at Avignon on 6 Dec. 1352.