Western Schism
The Western Schism, also called Papal Schism, The Vatican Standoff, Great Occidental Schism and Schism of 1378 (), was a split within the Catholic Church lasting from 1378 to 1417 in which bishops residing in Rome and Avignon both claimed to be the true pope, joined by a third line of Pisan popes in 1409. The schism was driven by personalities and political allegiances, with the Avignon papacy being closely associated with the French monarchy. These rival claims to the papal throne damaged the prestige of the office.

The papacy had resided in Avignon since 1309, but Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome in 1377. However, the Catholic Church split in 1378 when the College of Cardinals elected both Urban VI and Clement VII pope within six months of Gregory XI's death. After several attempts at reconciliation, the Council of Pisa (1409) declared that both popes were illegitimate and elected a third pope. The schism was finally resolved when the Pisan pope John XXIII called the Council of Constance (1414–1418). The Council arranged the abdication of both the Roman pope Gregory XII and the Pisan pope John XXIII, excommunicated the Avignon pope Benedict XIII, and elected Martin V as the new pope reigning from Rome.

The affair is sometimes referred to as the "Great Schism", although this term is also used for the East–West Schism of 1054 between the Churches remaining in communion with the See of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox Churches.
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Catholic Church
Concept
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bishop
Concept
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Rome
LOC
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Avignon
LOC
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pope
Concept
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Pisan
LOC
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schism
Concept
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French monarchy
LOC
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resided in Avignon
TIME
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Pope Gregory XI
PER
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College of Cardinals
Concept
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Urban VI
PER
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Clement VII
PER
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Council of Pisa
LOC
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John XXIII
PER
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Council of Constance
Concept
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abdication
Concept
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Gregory XII
PER
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Benedict XIII
PER
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Martin V
PER
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East–West Schism
MEDIA
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See of Rome
LOC
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Eastern Orthodox Church
Concept
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Western Schism
MEDIA
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DATE
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