In 1409, there were three popes in Europe, and all hell broke loose...

The history of the papacy before the Western Schism is deeply intertwined with the political and social dynamics of medieval Europe.

One of the most significant events of this period was the relocation of the papal residence from Rome to Avignon in 1309.

This move, initiated by Pope Clement V, began what is commonly referred to as the Avignon Papacy, which lasted until 1377.

For nearly seven decades, seven successive popes, all of French origin, ruled from Avignon, a period often characterized by the influence of the French crown over papal decisions.

Rome, during the late 13th and early 14th centuries, was rife with political instability, factional violence, and external threats.

Avignon, on the other hand, offered a more secure and politically advantageous environment, especially given the close ties between the papacy and the French monarchy.

However, the Avignon Papacy was not without its critics. Many believed that the popes' proximity to the French crown compromised the independence and universal authority of the papacy.

The desire to return the papacy to Rome grew stronger over the years. Pope Gregory XI, heeding the calls for a return and recognizing the symbolic importance of Rome as the spiritual heart of Christendom, made the decision to move back in 1377.

His return, however, was short-lived, as he passed away the following year. The subsequent papal election in 1378, intended to solidify the papacy's position in Rome, instead became the flashpoint for the Western Schism. 

Following the death of Pope Gregory XI, who had recently moved the papacy back to Rome from Avignon, the responsibility fell upon the College of Cardinals to elect his successor.

The atmosphere in Rome was tense. The Roman populace, eager to ensure the papacy remained in their city, exerted significant pressure on the cardinals, with cries of "Romano lo volemo!" or "We want a Roman!" echoing through the streets.

In response to this fervent atmosphere, the cardinals convened and elected Bartolomeo Prignano, the Archbishop of Bari, as Pope Urban VI on April 8, 1378.

Though not a Roman, he was at least Italian, which was hoped to appease the demands of the Roman people.

However, Urban VI's subsequent actions and demeanor quickly alienated many within the Church's hierarchy.

His attempts at reform were seen as too abrupt, and his manner was often described as abrasive and autocratic.

Dissatisfaction with Urban VI's leadership grew rapidly among the cardinals, leading many to regret their choice.

By September of the same year, a faction of these cardinals, claiming that the election of Urban VI had been conducted under duress due to the Roman mob, convened in Fondi and elected a rival pope. 

The Western Schism's complexity was further exacerbated by the emergence of antipopes, rival claimants to the papal throne.

The term "antipope" denotes a person who, in opposition to the one canonically elected, makes a significantly accepted competing claim to be the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the Catholic Church.

The first of these antipopes was Clement VII, born Robert of Geneva. Elected in Fondi by a faction of cardinals who had become disillusioned with Pope Urban VI, Clement VII established his papal court in Avignon in 1378.

His election was backed by several European monarchs, including the King of France, which solidified his position and ensured that the schism would not be a short-lived affair.

Following Clement VII's death in 1394, the Avignon line continued with the election of Pedro de Luna, who took the name Benedict XIII.

A man of strong conviction, Benedict XIII refused all attempts at reconciliation that would require his abdication.

His tenacity further entrenched the divide between the Roman and Avignon obediences.

The situation grew even more convoluted in 1409. Discontented with both the Roman Pope Gregory XII and the Avignon antipope Benedict XIII, a group of cardinals from both sides convened the Council of Pisa in an attempt to heal the schism.

Instead of resolving the issue, the council elected yet another pope, Alexander V.

His reign was short-lived, and upon his death in 1410, he was succeeded by John XXIII, further complicating the already muddled papal landscape.

On the political front, the schism became a tool for monarchs and rulers to further their own agendas.

Allegiances to one pope over another were often less about theological conviction and more about political convenience.

For instance, France, benefiting from the presence of the papacy in Avignon, naturally supported the Avignonese popes, while many Italian states, desiring a Roman pope, supported the Roman line.

This division often led to political conflicts, as states used the schism as a pretext for warfare or diplomatic maneuvering against rivals who supported a different pope.

Recognizing the failure of the Council of Pisa, a new council was convened in 1414 at Constance, known as the Council of Constance.

This council was different in scale and scope. It was attended by representatives from across Christendom, including various monarchs, bishops, and theologians.

The council's primary objective was to end the schism once and for all. After extensive deliberations, the council achieved a breakthrough in 1415 when John XXIII, the successor to Alexander V, was deposed.

Pope Gregory XII, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the need for unity, voluntarily resigned.

Benedict XIII, however, refused to abdicate, but his support had dwindled significantly, rendering him largely irrelevant.

Various influential figures played crucial roles in mediating and advocating for unity.

Notable among them were St. Catherine of Siena and St. Vincent Ferrer, who, through their writings and diplomatic efforts, passionately called for the end of the schism and the restoration of a unified Church. 

Benedict XIII, however, proved to be a challenge. Stubbornly clinging to his claim despite diminishing support, he refused to step down.

However, his position became increasingly untenable. The Council of Constance, along with many of his former supporters, isolated him, rendering his claim largely irrelevant.

With the path now clear, the Council of Constance, in 1417, elected Cardinal Oddone Colonna, who took the name Pope Martin V.

His election was a moment of profound relief and marked the official end of the Western Schism.

The Church, after years of division and turmoil, was once again united under a single pope.

The Western Schism had profound implications for both the Catholic Church and the broader realm of Christendom.

At its core, the schism challenged the very notion of papal authority. With multiple claimants to the papal throne, the faithful were confronted with the dilemma of which pope to recognize, leading to confusion and a crisis of faith for many.

This division also had theological implications. The concept of "papal infallibility" — the belief that the pope, when speaking ex cathedra (or "from the chair" of Saint Peter), is preserved from the possibility of error on matters of faith and morals — was called into question.

If the Church could have multiple claimants to the papal throne, each denouncing the other, how could the faithful trust in the infallibility of any one pope?

In the broader realm of Christendom, the schism weakened the unity that had been a hallmark of the medieval Church.

The very idea of Christendom — a united Christian community under the leadership of the pope — was undermined.

The schism sowed seeds of doubt, not just about the papacy, but about the institutional Church as a whole.