Recommended

This week in Christian history: Pope Urban VI dies, Knights Templar arrested, Martin Luther debates cardinal

Pope Urban VI dies – Oct. 15, 1389

A 17th century image of Pope Urban VI, (c.1318-1389).
A 17th century image of Pope Urban VI, (c.1318-1389). | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Pope Urban VI, whose reign included increase divisiveness between Rome and the cardinals of France, died.

Born Bartolomeo Prignano of Naples, Urban VI was elected in 1378 to succeed Pope Gregory XI, whom he served as papal chancellor and immediately became a source of controversy.

Get Our Latest News for FREE

Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.

“Thirteen French cardinals — fearing that the majority in the Sacred College would be turned against them by a new promotion of Italians — left Rome,” explained Britannica.

“At Anagni, four months later, they declared Urban’s election as ‘null because it was not made freely but under fear.’ At Fondi, on Sept. 20, 1378, they elected the French cardinal Robert of Geneva, who became antipope Clement VII. Thus began the Western Schism that wracked the Roman Church for 40 years.”

His exact cause of death is the subject of dispute, with some claiming he was poisoned by an unknown party while others say he died from injuries sustained after being thrown from a mule.

Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

Was this article helpful?

Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage.

Most Popular

More Articles