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Avignon Papacy under John XXII (1320s)

Type Event Region Europe Time 1321–1330

In the 1320s, Pope John XXII continued to preside over the papacy at Avignon, strengthening papal finances and administrative centralization while cl…

Timeline

  1. 1322–1324Avignon · FranceThrough decrees such as Cum inter nonnullos, John XXII rejected the doctrine of the absolute poverty of Christ and the apostles, striking at the Franciscan Spirituals and provoking widespread controversy within the order and among theologians, significantly raising tensions between papal authority and monastic tradition.
  2. 1327Avignon · FranceThe papacy declared the excommunication and condemnation of Marsilius of Padua and Michael of Cesena, the Franciscan minister general, accusing works such as the Defender of Peace of challenging papal supremacy. The two subsequently joined Emperor Louis IV of the Holy Roman Empire, and the conflict between spiritual and temporal power became open.
  3. 1328–1330Avignon · FranceAfter Louis IV received his coronation in Rome, John XXII renewed his excommunication and questioned the legitimacy of his imperial title. The papacy continued to press taxation, appointments, and heresy trials from Avignon, entering a prolonged standoff with the empire and the Italian Ghibellines, keeping Western Europe's political-religious order in turmoil.

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