A page from papal history

The medieval era witnessed a remarkable phase in the history of the Catholic Church, lasting from 1309 to 1376, during which seven successive popes resided in Avignon, in modern-day France, rather than in Rome. This was the period of the Avignon Papacy. It's sometimes referred to as the "Babylonian Captivity" of the Papacy, drawing a parallel to the biblical exile of the Jews in Babylon.

In those days, Rome had been plagued by factionalism and violence among powerful noble families, making it an unsafe and difficult place for the Pope to govern effectively.

The move out of Rome was largely instigated by King Philip IV of France. Philip exerted considerable pressure on the papacy. Following a dispute with Pope Boniface VIII, Philip played a key role in the election of the French Archbishop of Bordeaux as Pope Clement V in 1305.

Clement V, perhaps feeling more secure in French territory and influenced by the French king, declined to move to Rome. In 1309, he established the papal court in Avignon, which at the time was technically part of the Holy Roman Empire but heavily influenced by France.

After him, six other popes resided at Avignon: John XXII, Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, and Gregory XI. Gregory the 6th was the one who returned to Rome. But before then, let's note that all of these popes were French, and the College of Cardinals became increasingly dominated by French members.

The extended stay in Avignon and the French composition of the papacy led to a widespread perception that the Popes were unduly influenced by the French monarchy. This damaged the papacy's reputation and its claim to universal authority.

However, the Avignon popes developed a more centralized and efficient administrative system for the Church. This included improvements in financial management and the organization of papal bureaucracy. To support the lavish papal court in Avignon, the papacy developed new methods of raising revenue, which were often met with resentment in other parts of Europe.

Meanwhile, the absence of the papacy led to a decline in Rome's political and economic importance, and its physical infrastructure suffered.

In due course, resentment grew towards the "French" papacy in Avignon in many parts of Europe, particularly England and the Holy Roman Empire. In 1377, Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome. After that, the College of Cardinals, under pressure from the Roman populace, elected an Italian Pope, Urban VI.

However, a group of French cardinals disputed this election and elected their own Pope, Clement VII, who returned to Avignon. Two French popes at the same time. This created two rival lines of popes, further dividing the Church.

Pope Gregory XI eventually returned the papal court to Rome in 1377, largely due to the persistent pleas of figures like St. Catherine of Siena and the desire to restore the papacy's traditional seat.

After Gregory XI's death, the Roman populace demanded an Italian pope. The cardinals, under pressure, elected Urban VI. But Urban VI was abrasive and reform-minded, quickly alienating many cardinals, especially the French ones.

A group of French cardinals soon declared Urban VI's election invalid, claiming it happened under duress. They then elected their own pope, Clement VII, who resumed a papal court at Avignon. For nearly four decades, the two lines of popes excommunicated each other and their followers.

To resolve the crisis, the Council of Pisa was convened in 1409. The council declared both lines of popes - Avignon and Rome - illegitimate. So, they elected a third pope, Alexander V. The two existing popes refused to step down, and Christendom had three popes!

Another council, the Council of Constance, which sat from 1414 to 1418 finally resolved the schism:

The resignation of the Roman pope was secured, the Pisan pope was deposed, and the Council refused to recognize the Avignon pope. This ecumenical council then elected a new and universally recognized pope, Martin V, in 1417, and the body of Christ was re-united and made whole once again.