Why Did the Catholic Church Have Three Popes at Once?

TL;DR

The late 14th-century Papal Schism resulted in three popes due to power struggles between the papacy and secular authorities. Initiated by Pope Urban VI's contentious election under mob pressure, this crisis led to rival claims from both Urban in Rome and Clement VII in Avignon, complicating the Church's unity until it was resolved in 1417 with the election of Pope Martin V.

Transcript

For almost two millennia, the Pope has been a figure of supreme spiritual authority for Catholics around the world. But in the late 14th century, Catholics found themselves with not one, not two, but three popes. Where did this plethora of popes come from? And who among them was the genuine article? The origins of this papal predicament began in 1... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ The Papal Schism was caused by a power struggle between the Church and secular authorities.
• 🥺 The move of the papacy to Avignon and the election of multiple Popes led to a split in Christendom.
• 🙃 The schism had political and diplomatic consequences as European rulers were forced to choose sides.
• ➗ The crisis was resolved with the Council of Constance, which unified the Church under one Pope after 39 years of division.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the Papal Schism begin?

The Papal Schism began with a power struggle between King Philip IV and Pope Boniface VIII over taxes on the Church, resulting in a declaration of papal supremacy and subsequent violent raid.

Q: Why did Pope Clement V move the papacy to Avignon?

Pope Clement V moved the papacy to Avignon to be closer to the war between England and France and to escape the demands of Rome.

Q: How did the schism intensify after Pope Urban VI's election?

After Pope Urban VI's election, the cardinals declared it illegitimate due to pressure from the Roman mob. They elected Pope Clement VII, leading to a split between Rome and Avignon.

Q: How did the Papal Schism end?

The Papal Schism ended in 1417 with the Council of Constance, where the popes from Rome and Avignon resigned, and a new Pope, Martin V, was elected.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 1296, King Philip IV of France offended Pope Boniface VIII by raising taxes on the Church, leading to a power struggle.

• Pope Clement V moved the papacy to Avignon in 1309, where it remained for several decades.

• The schism began in 1378 when the Roman mob pressured cardinals to elect Pope Urban VI, leading to a split between Rome and Avignon.