Editing Pope Benedict XII (section)

==Early life==
Jacques Fournier was born in Saverdun in the [[County of Foix]] around 1285.{{sfn|Pham|2004|p=184}}{{sfn|Boureau|2006|p=49}} He joined the [[Cistercians|Cistercian Order]] and studied at the [[Collège des Bernardins]] at the [[University of Paris]].{{sfn|Renouard|1970|p=38}} In 1311 he was made [[Abbot]] of [[Fontfroide Abbey]] and quickly became known for his intelligence and organisational ability.{{sfn|Pham|2004|p=184}}

In 1317, Jacques was made [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Pamiers|Bishop of Pamiers]].{{sfn|Boureau|2006|p=49}} It was here he undertook rigorous measures against [[Cathars]],{{sfn|Kaelber|1998|p=219}} assisting [[Bernard Gui]] in some investigations.{{sfn|Burr|2001|p=215}} Fournier's investigation captured [[Guillaume Bélibaste]],{{sfn|Prudlo|2015|p=154}} who was burned at the stake in 1321.{{sfn|Barber|2014|p=5}} Motivated by Philip V's [[Philip V of France#"Leper scare"|edict against lepers]], Jacques also investigated the supposed leper water-poisoning conspiracy and tortured the director of the Pamiers leprosarium, Guillaume Agasse, into giving a confession to the charges.{{sfn|Sherman|2018|p=36}}

His efforts against the Cathars of [[Montaillou]] in the [[Ariège (department)|Ariège]] were carefully recorded in the [[Fournier Register]], which he took to [[Rome]] and deposited in the [[Vatican Library]].{{sfn|Davies|1996|p=411}} His transcription was edited by [[Jean Duvernoy]] and has been documented by [[Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie]]'s pioneering [[microhistory]], ''Montaillou, village occitan.''

In 1326, upon the successful rooting out of the last – it was believed – Cathars of the south, Jacques was made [[Bishop of Mirepoix]] in the Ariège, and, a year later, in 1327, he was made a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]].{{sfn|Boureau|2006|p=49}}

Upon his elevation to cardinal, Jacques continued to wear his Cistercian [[cowl]], which garnered him the nickname the "white cardinal".{{sfn|Bueno|2018|p=15}} He often advised Pope John XXII on doctrinal matters, which included the heretical nature of magic.{{sfn|Bueno|2018|p=15}} Jacques was tasked by the pope with examining the works of [[Peter John Olivi]], [[Meister Eckhart]], [[William of Ockham]] and [[Michael of Cesena]].{{sfn|Bueno|2018|p=15}}