Pope Gregory XII facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Gregory XII |
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| Bishop of Rome | |
Portrait of Gregory XII by van Gent and Berruguete (c. 1476, Ducal Palace, Urbino)
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 30 November 1406 |
| Papacy ended | 4 July 1415 |
| Predecessor | Innocent VII |
| Successor | Martin V |
| Opposed to | Avignon claimant: Pisan claimants: |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 1390 |
| Created Cardinal | 12 June 1405 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Angelo Corraro (or Corario) |
| Born | c. 1327 Venice, Republic of Venice |
| Died | 18 October 1417 (aged 89–90) Recanati, Marche, Papal States |
| Previous post |
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| Coat of arms |  |
| Other Popes named Gregory | |
Pope Gregory XII (born Angelo Corraro, around 1327 – 18 October 1417) was the leader of the Catholic Church. He served as Pope from November 30, 1406, to July 4, 1415. His time as Pope was during a difficult period known as the Western Schism. During this time, there were multiple people claiming to be the true Pope. Gregory XII faced opposition from Antipope Benedict XIII and later from Antipope Alexander V and Antipope John XXIII. He deeply desired to bring the Church back together. To help end the schism, he bravely chose to step down from his role in 1415.
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Early Life and Church Roles
Angelo Corraro was born in Venice, Italy, around the year 1327. He came from a well-known noble family.
In 1380, he became the Bishop of Castello. Later, in 1390, he was named the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople, which was an honorary title. On June 12, 1405, Pope Innocent VII made him a cardinal. He was given the title of Cardinal-Priest of San Marco.
Becoming Pope During a Divided Church
Gregory XII was chosen as Pope in Rome on November 30, 1406. Only fifteen cardinals took part in the election. They chose him with a special agreement. This agreement stated that if Antipope Benedict XIII, who was another claimant to the papacy in Avignon, gave up his claim, Gregory XII would also step down. The goal was to end the Western Schism, which had divided the Church since 1378.
Efforts to End the Schism
Both Gregory XII and Benedict XIII started talks to meet in Savona, Italy. However, they both hesitated. Gregory XII's family in Venice and King Ladislaus of Naples tried to stop the meeting. Both papal claimants feared being captured by their rival's supporters.
Gregory XII's cardinals became unhappy with his actions. They showed signs that they might leave him. On May 4, 1408, Gregory XII called his cardinals to Lucca. He told them not to leave the city. He then tried to gain more support by making four of his nephews cardinals. One of them later became Pope Eugene IV. This was despite a promise he made during his election not to create new cardinals.
Seven cardinals secretly left Lucca. They began talking with Benedict XIII's cardinals. They planned to call a large meeting, known as a general council. At this council, both Gregory XII and Benedict XIII would be declared removed from their positions. Then, a new Pope would be elected.
The Council of Pisa
These cardinals called the Council of Pisa. They invited both Gregory XII and Benedict XIII to attend. However, neither of them showed up. Meanwhile, Gregory XII stayed in Rimini with his loyal supporter, Carlo I Malatesta. Malatesta even went to Pisa to support Gregory XII during the council.
On June 5, 1409, the Council of Pisa made a big decision. They declared that both Gregory XII and Benedict XIII were no longer Popes. They called them "schismatical" (dividing the Church), "heretical" (holding wrong beliefs), and "perjured" (breaking promises). Later that month, the council elected Antipope Alexander V as the new Pope.
Gregory XII, who had created ten more cardinals by then, called his own council. This rival council was held in Cividale del Friuli. But only a few bishops attended. Gregory XII's cardinals declared Benedict XIII and Alexander V to be schismatics. However, their declaration was ignored. Gregory XII was very upset by these events. He also had to escape from enemies and former friends during this time.
The Council of Constance and Resolution
The Council of Constance finally brought an end to the difficult situation. Gregory XII sent Carlo Malatesta and Cardinal Giovanni Dominici to represent him. Cardinal Dominici then officially called the council and approved its actions. This helped to keep the idea that the Pope was the supreme leader of the Church.
On July 4, 1415, Gregory XII's resignation was announced by Malatesta. The cardinals accepted it. As agreed, they allowed all the cardinals Gregory XII had created to keep their positions. This pleased Gregory XII's family. Gregory XII was also appointed Bishop of Frascati, a high-ranking cardinal, and a special representative in Ancona.
The Council then removed Antipope John XXIII, who had succeeded Alexander V. After another claimant, a follower of Benedict XIII, appeared, the council also declared him removed. This finally ended the Western Schism. A new Roman Pope, Pope Martin V, was elected after Gregory XII's death. Many saw this as a sign that Gregory XII had been the true Pope all along. Because of this, the papal seat was considered empty for two years after Gregory XII's resignation until Martin V was elected.
Life After Resignation
After stepping down, Gregory XII lived a quiet life in Ancona. He was the last Pope to resign until Pope Benedict XVI did so on February 28, 2013. That was almost 600 years later.
How History Views Gregory XII
The Annuario Pontificio, which is the official yearbook of the Catholic Church, has changed how it lists the Popes from this period. For a long time, it recognized the decisions of the Council of Pisa. It listed Gregory XII's time as Pope ending in 1409. Then it listed Alexander V and John XXIII as Popes.
However, the understanding of the Western Schism changed. When Pope John XXIII (who was Pope from 1958 to 1963) chose to use the name "John XXIII," he said there had been "twenty-two Johns of indisputable legitimacy." This meant that the earlier Alexander V and John XXIII were no longer considered true Popes. Modern versions of the Annuario Pontificio now show Gregory XII's reign lasting until 1415. Alexander V and the first John XXIII are now officially considered "antipopes" (people who falsely claimed to be Pope).
See also
- Papal resignation
- Western Schism
