Western Schism
The Western Schism was a split between factions of the Roman Catholic Church between 1378 and 1417.[1]
During this period, more than one claimed to be the true pope.[1]
The reasons for the split were mostly political, rather than theological. The Council of Constance (1414–1418) ended the schism when they elected Martin V as the new pope.
| Popes of the Western Schism |
|---|
 |
Western Schism Media
Map showing support for Avignon (red) and Rome (blue) during the Western Schism; this breakdown is accurate until the Council of Pisa (1409), which created a third line of claimants.
Habemus Papam at the Council of Constance
Plaque commemorating the popes buried in St. Peter's. Alexanders VI, VII, and VIII are numbered as though the Pisan pope Alexander V were legitimate, but John XXIII (d. 1963) has reused the ordinal of the Pisan pope John XXIII.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Western Schism," Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-11-29.
Other websites
"Western Schism". Catholic Encyclopedia. (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company.
