WEST CIV FINAL: Papal Monarchy, the Babylonian Captivity and the Great Schism

Celestine V

Date: 13th century

Fact: a hermit chosen unexpectedly as pope; overwhelmed by the office, he resigned—one of the very few popes ever to do so.

Significance: His resignation opened the way for Boniface VIII and raised major questions about papal authority, showing how unstable the papacy could be in this era.

Boniface VIII

Date: 13th century

Fact: asserted strong papal authority, declared that all Christians must be subject to the pope.

Significance: His conflicts with secular rulers—especially France's Philip IV—helped weaken papal prestige and contributed to later crises like the Avignon Papacy.

Anagni Affair

Date: 14th century

Fact: French forces, acting for King Philip IV, attacked and captured Pope Boniface VIII in the town of Anagni.

Significance: The event humiliated the papacy and marked a turning point where kings began to openly challenge papal power, leading directly to the Avignon Papacy.

Avignon Papacy

Date: 14th century

Fact: During this period, the popes lived in Avignon (in France) instead of Rome and were heavily influenced by the French crown.

Significance: The relocation damaged the papacy's reputation, made it seem politically controlled, and set the stage for the Great Western Schism.

Great Western Schism

Date: 14th century

Fact: A major church crisis in which multiple rival popes claimed authority—first two, later three.

Significance: It deeply divided Europe, weakened the papacy's moral authority, and pushed church leaders to seek reforms that would limit papal power.

Council of Constance

Date: 15th century

Fact: A large Church council called to end the Great Western Schism and reform the Church.

Significance: It ended the schism by deposing or accepting the resignation of rival popes and electing Martin V, restoring unity to the Church.

Conciliarism

Date: 15th century

Fact: the belief that Church councils had more authority than the pope during times of crisis.

Significance: It challenged traditional papal supremacy and played a major role in resolving the Great Western Schism, though it ultimately declined as popes regained power.