Why is Pope Boniface considered a sworn enemy of Dante?

Pope Boniface VIII is considered a sworn enemy of Dante primarily because of his role in Dante's exile from Florence. In the political turmoil of the late 13th and early 14th centuries, Dante, a member of the White Guelf faction, found himself at odds with the authority of the Pope and the opposing Black Guelf faction, which sought to influence Florence's political landscape. The Pope's support of the Black Guelfs, ultimately leading to Dante’s expulsion from his beloved city, positioned him as a direct adversary to Dante.

Moreover, Dante's writings, particularly those in "The Divine Comedy," are critical of the Pope and the corrupt church practices of the time. The exile was a deeply personal and political wound for Dante, shaping much of his social and political commentary throughout his works. Therefore, the role the Pope played in Dante's exile is central to understanding the conflict between them and why he is viewed as an enemy in Dante’s narrative.