Italy · Religion / Roman Catholic Church. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
The Schism in the Western Roman Church resulted from the return of the papacy to Rome under Gregory XI on January 17, 1377, ending the Avignon Papacy, which had developed a reputation for corruption that estranged major parts of Western Christendom
The Western Schism or Papal Schism was a split within the Roman Catholic Church which lasted from 1378 to 1417. The election of Urban VI is declared null & void
After Pope Gregory XI died the Romans rioted to ensure the election of a Roman for pope. On April 8, 1378 the cardinals elected a Neapolitan when no viable Roman candidates presented themselves. Urban VI the Archbishop of Bari, was elected.
Many of the cardinals who had elected removed themselves from Rome to Anagni, where, even though Urban was still reigning, they elected Robert of Geneva as a rival Pope. Robert took the name Clement VII and reestablished a papal court in Avignon.
The second election threw the Church into turmoil. There had been Popes before, but most of them had been appointed by rival factions; in this case, a single group of leaders of the Church had created more than one Pope
Urban had been a respected administrator in the papal chancery at Avignon, but as Pope he proved suspicious, reformist, and prone to violent outbursts of temper.
After Pope Gregory XI died the Romans rioted to ensure the election of a Roman for pope. On April 8, 1378 the cardinals elected a Neapolitan when no viable Roman candidates presented themselves. Urban VI the Archbishop of Bari, was elected.
Many of the cardinals who had elected removed themselves from Rome to Anagni, where, even though Urban was still reigning, they elected Robert of Geneva as a rival Pope. Robert took the name Clement VII and reestablished a papal court in Avignon.
The second election threw the Church into turmoil. There had been Popes before, but most of them had been appointed by rival factions; in this case, a single group of leaders of the Church had created both the Pope and the Pope
Urban had been a respected administrator in the papal chancery at Avignon, but as Pope he proved suspicious, reformist, and prone to violent outbursts of temper.
Alienates French Cardinals who elect the Antipope Clement VII at Fondi
When Boniface died in 1404, the eight cardinals of the Roman conclave offered to refrain from electing a new Pope if Benedict would resign; but when his legates refused on his behalf, the Roman party then proceeded to elect Innocent VII
After the Roman Pope Innocent VII died in 1406, the newly elected Roman Pope, Gregory XII, started negotiations with Benedict, suggesting that they both resign so a new Pope could be elected to reunite the Catholic Church. When these talks ended in stalemate in 1408, the French king, Charles VI, declared that France was neutral to both papal contenders
A church council was held at Pisa in 1409 under the auspices of the cardinals to try solving the dispute. At the fifteenth session, 5 June 1409, the Council of Pisa deposed the two pontiffs as schismatical, heretical, perjured, and scandalous But added to the problem by electing another incumbent, Alexander V. He reigned from June 26, 1409, to his death in 1410
Charles VI helped to organise the Council of Pisa in 1409. This council was supposed to arrange for both Gregory and Benedict to resign, so that a new universally recognised Pope could be elected. However, since both Benedict and Gregory refused to abdicate, the only thing that was achieved was that a third candidate to the Holy See was put forward: Peter Philarghi, who assumed the name Alexander V
one of the seven cardinals who, in May 1408, deserted Pope Gregory XII, and, with those following Antipope Benedict XIII of Avignon, convened the Council of Pisa, of which Cossa became the leader. The aim of the council was to end the schism; to this end they deposed both Gregory XII and Benedict XIII and elected a new Pope Alexander V in 1409
Alexander V died soon after, and on 25 May 1410 Cossa was consecrated pope, taking the name John XXIII. He had been an ordained priest only one day earlier.
John XXIII was acknowledged as Pope by France, England, Bohemia, Portugal, parts of the Holy Roman Empire, and numerous Northern Italian city states, including Florence and Venice however
and parts of Germany and Poland
the Avignon Pope Benedict XIII was regarded as Pope by the Kingdoms of Aragon Castile Sicily and Scotland and Gregory XII was still favored by Ladislaus of Naples Carlo I Malatesta the princes of Bavaria Louis III Elector Palatine
The main enemy of John was Ladislaus of Naples, who protected Gregory XII in Rome. Following his election as pope, John spent a year in Bologna and then joined forces with Louis II of Anjou to march against Ladislaus. An initial victory proved short-lived and Ladislaus retook Rome in May 1413, forcing John to flee to Florence
The Council of Constance was convened by Pisan Pope John XXIII in 1414 at Constance to resolve the Western Schism. This is endorsed by Gregory XII, Innocent VII's successor in Rome, thus ensuring the legitimacy of any election
The Council of Constance was convened on 30 October 1413. During the third session, rival Pope Gregory XII authorized the council as well. The council resolved that all three popes should abdicate and a new Pope be elected
The Council of Constance was convened by Pisan Pope John XXIII in 1414 at Constance to resolve the Western Schism. This is endorsed by Gregory XII, Innocent VII's successor in Rome, thus ensuring the legitimacy of any election
The Council of Constance was convened on 30 October 1413. During the third session, rival Pope Gregory XII authorized the council as well. The council resolved that all three popes should abdicate and a new Pope be elected
The Council of Constance secures the resignations of John XXIII and Gregory XII while excommunicating the claimant who refused to step down, Benedict XIII
The Council of Constance secures the resignations of John XXIII and Gregory XII while excommunicating the claimant who refused to step down, Benedict XIII
The Council elected Pope Martin V in 1417, essentially ending the schism. Nonetheless, the Crown of Aragon did not recognize Martin V and continued to recognize Benedict XIII
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