Nicolas Bonet

Who was Nicolas Bonet?

Nicolas Bonet was a Friar Minor, theologian, and missionary.

Probably a Frenchman by birth, he taught theology with great success at Paris, where he received the title of "Doctor Pacificus" on account of his suave and tranquil mode of lecturing. Bonet took an important part in the dispute concerning the beatific vision which was warmly discussed during the pontificate of John XXII and finally settled by the decree of his successor, Benedict XII, "Benedictus Deus".

He was a member of the papal embassy sent by Benedict XII to Kublai Khan. The Franciscan missions in Tatary were founded as early as the year 1245 by the zealous apostles of the Faith, Lorenzo da Portogallo and Giovanni da Pian Carpino; and in his desire to see the great work which was inaugurated by them and continued by the saintly Archbishop John of Monte Corvino kept up and extended, the great khan was induced to send an embassy to Benedict XII to petition for new labourers in the missions of Asia.