The election of Pope Boniface VIII marked a significant transition in the leadership of the Catholic Church following the unusual papacy of St. Celestine V. Celestine, known for his ascetic lifestyle and deep spirituality, took the papal office in July 1294. However, his time as Pope was short-lived due to his inability to manage the complexities of church politics and the pressing issues of his time. Feeling overwhelmed, Celestine resigned after only a few months, making the unusual decision to abandon the papal throne. His resignation set a precedent that would resonate throughout church history.

Benedetto Caetani, who would become Boniface VIII, was elected as his successor shortly after Celestine's retirement. A seasoned diplomat and an experienced bishop, he was well-prepared to take on the formidable challenges presented by the Papacy in an era marked by political strife and conflicts between the church and various monarchies. His election took place in Rome, where he would soon make his mark with his assertive policies and strong stance on the supremacy of the papal authority over European rulers. One of his notable acts was the issuance of the papal bull Unam Sanctam, which famously proclaimed the necessity of submission to the Pope for salvation.

Boniface VIII's papacy was characterized by high ambition, and he sought to enhance the prestige of the papacy both spiritually and politically. He found himself embroiled in contentious relationships with kings and emperors, including his conflict with the French King Philip IV, which would culminate in significant tensions. His reign shifted the dynamics of power in medieval Europe, showcasing the church's influence amid a backdrop of emerging nation-states. Boniface's confrontational approach could be seen as a double-edged sword; while it reaffirmed papal authority, it also provoked strong resistance that would eventually lead to challenges against papal supremacy in subsequent centuries.