In the late 14th century, the Catholic Church became a house divided against itself when it was confronted with the problem of having two popes claiming to be the rightful heir of St. Peter. Each had a strong case and powerful royal backers, as well as his own line of succession. The crisis persisted for decades and even led to the election of a third pope. For an institution that insisted on the visibility and unity of its sovereign authority, this was untenable.

What has become known as the Papal Schism or the Western Schism gravely weakened the papacy and had long-lasting effects. Historian John Freymann, a professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, examines the context and causes of the schism and highlights the theological and ecclesiastical consequences of this dangerous episode in the history of the Catholic Church.

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