Why Were There Three Popes At The Same Time

The Papal Predicament: A Tale of Three Popes

For nearly two millennia, the Pope has been a figure of supreme spiritual authority for Catholics worldwide. However, in the late 14th century, Catholics found themselves with not one, not two, but three popes. This unique situation arose from a series of political and religious conflicts that began in 1296.

The Origins of the Papal Predicament

The origins of this papal predicament began when France’s King Philip IV decided to raise taxes on the Church in 1296. This decision offended Pope Boniface VIII, given the clergy’s political power, leading him to write the “Unam Sanctam,” a radical decree asserting the Pope’s total supremacy over earthly rulers. King Philip retaliated by declaring Boniface a heretic and attempted to have him arrested in a violent raid. Boniface survived the assault but died soon after. Following a short-lived successor, Pope Clement V was elected in 1305.

The Papacy Moves to Avignon

Pope Clement V, a French diplomat seeking peace in the war between England and his homeland, wanted to stay close to the conflict and escape the demands of Rome. So, in 1309, he moved the seat of the papacy to Avignon, a city close to France but owned by a vassal of the Church. The papacy remained here for the terms of seven popes until the reigning Pope finally returned to Italy in 1376. However, he died just several months after his arrival, leading to a new pope’s immediate election in Rome, where there hadn’t been a papal election in over 70 years.

The Election of Pope Urban VI and the Beginning of the Schism

The Romans were determined to elect one of their own and restore Rome as the seat of Western Christendom. Amidst the chaos, the cardinals elected the Neapolitan Archbishop of Bari to become Pope Urban VI. Initially seen as a safe choice, Urban quickly proved to be a reformer who sought to limit the cardinal’s finances. Desperate to maintain their luxurious lifestyles, the cardinals declared the recent election illegitimate, as it was decided under pressure from the Roman mob. They denounced Urban as a usurper and held a new conclave to elect Pope Clement VII. The schism had officially begun.

The Schism Continues: Two Capitals, Two Popes

Western Christendom now had two capitals, Avignon and Rome, each with their own Pope and court of cardinals. As popes from each line died, their cardinals appointed successors, continuing the crisis for decades. This unusual situation didn’t impact most ordinary Catholics, as there were no significant doctrinal splits. Instead, the drama played out in the diplomatic realm. European rulers were forced to choose sides, as both popes vied for spiritual and political supremacy.

The Resolution of the Schism

In 1409, a group of cardinals from France and Rome took matters into their own hands. They claimed that since both popes were disputed, cardinals did have the right to call a council. At their gathering, these cardinals deposed the pretenders and elected a new Pope. Unfortunately, both Avignon’s Pope and Rome’s Pope refused to recognize this council. So instead of solving the crisis, the number of popes rose to three. This unusual arrangement lasted five more years, until the Council of Constance in 1417. Here, the popes from the Roman line and recently created third line resigned and agreed to unite the church under a new Pope—Martin V. Undisputed, Martin swiftly excommunicated the only person still against him—the Pope of Avignon—and finally ended the schism after 39 years.

Reflections on the Papal Schism

Today, the church’s official records say the Roman Line was always the true papal power. But regardless of how the schism ended, its existence proves that even those who are supposed to be pious are prone to petty power struggles.