Question:
If the papacy can be traced back to St. Peter with unbroken continuity, then who was pope during the Western Schism?
Answer:
Pope Urban VI is considered to have been validly elected. However, the cardinals were later so unhappy with him that they attempted to delegitimize him, which then lead to a series of popes and antipopes that finally ended with Martin V. The following is the accepted list of valid popes during the period of the Western Schism:
- Urban VI (1378-89)
- Boniface IX (1389-1404)
- Innocent VII (1404-06)
- Gregory XII (1406-15)
- Martin V (1417-31)
Enjoying this content? Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us