Did the Pope betray the Templars?

[scimitar60]

Why did the Pope have all the Templars burnt alive?
Sure, it says for ‘heresy’ but it’s very unlikely the entire order turned heretical. It was a Christian order anyhow.

I’m not trying to point a finger, but was this totally necessary?

 

[Spencerian]

Why did the Pope have all the Templars burnt alive?
Sure, it says for ‘heresy’ but it’s very unlikely the entire order turned heretical. It was a Christian order anyhow.

I’m not trying to point a finger, but was this totally necessary?

Hi.

This Catholic Encyclopedia entry on the Knights Templar appears to note the issue. The fall of the Templars was (like Joan of Arc’s trial) politically motivated (in this case, by Philip the Fair) but disguised initially to appear as a papal decision. The pope himself came to their defense but was apparently caught in the politics as well, forced to make a compromise.