BENEDICT XIII  . (Piero Francesco Orsini), pope from 1724 to 1730, at first styled Benedict XIV., was born on the 2nd of February 1649, of the ducal family of Orsini-Gravina . In 1667 he became a Dominican (as Vincentius Maria), studied theology and philosophy, was made a cardinal in 1672 and arch-bishop of Benevento in 1686 . Elected pope on the 29th of May 1724, he attempted to reform clerical morals; but neither the decrees of the Latin council (1725) nor his personal precepts had much effect . He confirmed the bull Unigenitus; but, despite the Jesuits, allowed the Dominicans to preach the Augustinian doctrine of grace . State affairs he left entirely to the unpopular Cardinal Nicolo Coscia . He died on the 21st of February 1730 . His works were published in 3 vols. at Ravenna in 1728 .