Western Schism, also called Great Schism or Great Western Schism, in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, the period from 1378 to 1417, when there were two, and later three, rival popes, each with his own following, his own Sacred College of Cardinals, and his own administrative offices.

What year were there 3 popes?

A look back at the dramatic year that saw three different popes over three months - Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II. The sequence of extraordinary events started with the death of Pope Paul VI on 6 August 1978.

Who were the 2 popes in the Great Schism?

An attempt to return the papacy to Rome was followed by schism as two rival popes were elected by the cardinals, Urban VI by the Roman faction and Clement VII by the French faction.