TED-Ed: Why were there three popes at the same time? | Joëlle Rollo-Koster

In the late 14th century, the Catholic Church faced a crisis with three competing popes. The conflict began when King Philip IV of France clashed with Pope Boniface VIII over taxes, leading to the Avignon Papacy. The election of Pope Urban VI in Rome, under pressure from local mobs, was contested, resulting in the Western Schism with two papal lines. Efforts to resolve the schism led to a third pope, further complicating the situation. The Council of Constance in 1417 finally resolved the crisis by electing Pope Martin V, uniting the Church under one leader.

How did the schism affect the political landscape of Europe during this period?

What was the outcome of the Council of Constance in 1417?

In what ways did the existence of multiple popes challenge the authority of the Church?