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Pope Clement V moved the papacy to the French Archdiocese of Avignon at the insistence of the French King Philip VI.
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Avignon remained the residence for five successive popes before Pope Gregory XII returned to Rome
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an Italian, Pope Urban VI, was elected by the cardinals who were pressured by the Romans to return to an Italian pope.
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the cardinals subsequently announced that Pope Urban’s election was invalid. In his stead they elected Pope Clement VII, who lived in Avignon. This led to great confusion, for both popes were considered by different parties to be the legitimate successor of St Peter.
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the cardinals attempted to resolve the situation by calling the Council of Pisa
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The Council attempted to depose both Pope Benedict in Avignon and Pope Gregory in Rome and to elect a new Pope, Pope Alexander V.
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Another council was called to resolve the issue, the Council of Florence was held
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had been removed, Pope Gregory had resigned, and anti-Pope Benedict had fled.
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Pope Martin V was elected and the Great Schism was over
