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This Week in Christian History: Elizabeth I Crowned, Pope Returns to Rome, Catechism Published

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Twitter

Pope Gregory XI Returns Papal See Back to Rome - January 17, 1377

A nineteenth century portrait of Pope Gregory XI (1329-1378), who moved the papacy back to Rome, Italy from Avignon, France in 1377.
A nineteenth century portrait of Pope Gregory XI (1329-1378), who moved the papacy back to Rome, Italy from Avignon, France in 1377. | (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

This week marks the anniversary of when Pope Gregory XI moved the Papal See back to Rome, after nearly 70 years of the popes being based in Avignon, France.

Elected pope in 1370, Gregory XI moved the papacy back to its current location in part to influence church policies both in Italy and more broadly relations with Eastern churches.

The move was met with much opposition from many cardinals as well as the Kingdom of France, and led to a good deal of strife in the short run for the Church.

"After Gregory XI reestablished the papal capital in Rome, cardinals of the Sacred College selected a second pope, who assumed the vacant Avignon seat. This marked the onset of the Great Schism," explained Britannica.com. "A succession of such 'antipopes' were selected, and the Great Schism was not healed until 1417."

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