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Beginning of the Western Schism

Type Event Region Europe Time 1378

After Pope Gregory XI died in 1378, the cardinals elected Urban VI in Rome while others chose Clement VII at Fondi, splitting the Western Church betw…

Timeline

  1. 1378Rome · LazioGregory XI, the last Avignon pope, died in Rome. Under popular pressure the cardinals held an election at the Vatican, and on 8 April chose Bartolomeo Prignano, Archbishop of Bari, as Urban VI, and the papal court officially returned to Rome.
  2. 1378Fondi (initial election)/Avignon (residence) · ProvenceCardinals of French and other nationalities, displeased with Urban VI's conduct, declared the Roman election invalid and on 20 September elected Robert of Geneva at Fondi as the antipope Clement VII, returning to Avignon. Western European states acknowledged either the Roman or Avignon pope according to their political alliances, and the Church's unified authority suffered a severe blow.

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