The question "who was the pope during the Great Schism" points to one of the most turbulent eras in Catholic history, a period when the office itself seemed fractured. Between 1378 and 1417, the faithful were confronted with multiple claimants to the papal throne, a crisis that tested the authority of the Church and reshaped European politics. Understanding the specific individuals who held opposing claims is essential to grasping the scale of this division.
Origins of the Schism
The crisis did not erupt overnight; it was the culmination of tensions between the French papacy and secular powers. The move of the papacy from Rome to Avignon in the early 14th century had already eroded confidence in the institution’s independence. When the cardinals elected an Italian pope, Urban VI, in 1378, the Roman crowd demanded the return of the papacy to its ancient seat. Fearing violence, the new pope immediately changed his stance, causing many cardinals to flee Rome and declare his election invalid due to duress.
Election of Clement VII
These cardinals convened in Anagni and elected Robert of Geneva as their pope in September 1378. Taking the name Clement VII, he established his court in Avignon, creating the first formal schism. While Rome recognized Urban VI, Europe was divided between the two obediences. France, Scotland, Castile, and parts of Germany recognized Clement VII, while the rest of Italy, along with England and the Holy Roman Empire, remained loyal to Urban VI. This geographical split defined the political landscape of the era.
The Lineage of Claimants
To answer "who was the pope during the Great Schism" accurately, one must look at the succession of leaders on both sides. On the Avignon side, Clement VII was succeeded by Benedict XIII, who held power until 1423. In Rome, Urban VI was followed by Boniface IX, Innocent VII, and finally Gregory XII, who played a crucial role in resolving the conflict. Each man maintained he was the true successor of Saint Peter, forcing the faithful to choose between two fathers.
Obedience | Papal Name | Reign
Roman | Urban VI | 1378–1389
Avignon | Clement VII | 1378–1394
Roman | Boniface IX | 1389–1404
Avignon | Benedict XIII | 1394–1417
Attempts at Resolution
As the decades passed, the scandal of multiple popes became a greater threat to the Church’s spiritual authority than any theological dispute. Attempts to negotiate a solution initially failed, as each side demanded the other renounce their claim first. The Council of Pisa in 1409 sought to end the stalemate by deposing both Gregory XII and Benedict XIII and electing a new pope, Alexander V. This resulted in the unprecedented situation of three men simultaneously claiming to be the one true pope.
