When did the Western Schism begin and end?
The Western Schism began in 1378 when Pope Gregory XI died on the 27th of March 1378. The division within the Catholic Church ended in 1417 with the election of Pope Martin V later that year.
Questions about Western Schism
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who were the main popes involved in the Western Schism?
Pope Urban VI was elected on the 8th of April 1378 while Count Robert of Geneva became Pope Clement VII on the 20th of September 1378. Other claimants included Pope Alexander V, Pope John XXIII, and Pope Benedict XIII who remained defiant until his death on the 23rd of May 1423.
Where did the papal court reside before the Western Schism started?
The papal court resided in Avignon France from 1309 to 1377 under Pope Clement V. Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome on the 17th of January 1377 after decades of residence in the French enclave.
Why did European nations choose sides during the Western Schism?
European nations aligned themselves with either Rome or Avignon based on political convenience rather than religious doctrine. Monarchs pursued territorial ambitions and dynastic security over spiritual unity as seen when Charles III took the Hungarian throne from Mary and her husband Sigismund.
How did the Council of Constance resolve the Western Schism?
The Council of Constance convened in 1414 and issued Haec sancta on the 6th of April 1415 declaring that councils hold supreme authority over popes. The council secured the resignation of Gregory XII arranged for the removal of John XXIII and elected Pope Martin V later that year to end the division within the Church.