The Avignon Papacy refers to the 70 years when the popes lived in Avignon instead of living in Rome. Philip IV of France had forced a papal conclave to elect a French pope, who decided he did not want to live in Rome.
History
This period started in 1309 and ended in 1376 when Pope Gregory XI returned to the pope's residence in Rome.
There was an attempt to return the papacy to Avignon, but it was not successful.
List of Avignon popes
The Bishops of Rome who lived in Avignon were:
Pope Clement V: 1305–1314
Pope John XXII: 1316–1334
Pope Benedict XII: 1334–1342
Pope Clement VI: 1342–1352
Pope Innocent VI: 1352–1362
Pope Urban V: 1362–1370
Pope Gregory XI: 1370–1378
Two antipopes were based in Avignon as well: Clement VII: 1378–1394 Benedict XIII: 1394–1423 (expelled from Avignon in 1403)
Related pages
Western Schism
References
Other websites
Avignon Tourist office website ;